Mission UP 2027: BJP Bets On Ram Mandir Narrative To Outshine Donation Row

Published 2 July 2026 · politics

Mission UP 2027: BJP Bets On Ram Mandir Narrative To Outshine Donation Row Written By, Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 15:32 IST For BJP, the

Mission UP 2027: BJP Bets On Ram Mandir Narrative To Outshine Donation Row Written By, Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 15:32 IST For BJP, the emphasis is expected to remain on the temple as a landmark civilisational feat while keeping the broader election narrative centred on governance, welfare and Hindutva Rapid Read The political challenge for the BJP is ensuring that allegations relating to temple administration do not overshadow the larger symbolism attached to Ayodhya. (AI-Generated Image) Over the past decade, the Ram Mandir has been the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) biggest ideological and political success in Uttar Pradesh. The consecration of the temple in January 2024 capped a decades-long movement that the party has long associated with its core Hindutva agenda. Now, less than a year before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations has triggered a fresh political contest over accountability, transparency and the handling of devotees’ offerings. The BJP insists the controversy will not derail its preparations for the polls and says it has acted swiftly by ordering investigations. The Opposition, meanwhile, is seeking to turn the issue into a political campaign against the ruling party. Why Is The Ram Mandir Politically Important? Few political issues have shaped Uttar Pradesh politics as profoundly as Ayodhya. ALSO READ | Ram Mandir Row: Will Champat Rai, Anil Mishra Be Removed From Trust? Members To Vote On July 6 For the BJP, the Ram Mandir is not merely an infrastructure project but the culmination of what it describes as a “500-year struggle". The party has also built a broader governance narrative around Ayodhya’s transformation, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Mahakumbh and religious tourism. Because of that symbolism, allegations involving donations made by devotees inevitably carry political weight, even though the alleged irregularities relate to post-consecration offerings rather than funds collected to build the temple itself. What Is The Donation Row?

The controversy centres on allegations that cash and valuables donated by devotees at the Ram Temple were misappropriated by a group of accused individuals. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), multiple arrests have been made, and investigators have recovered substantial amounts of cash allegedly linked to the case. Sources have also told News18 that the Ayodhya police are likely to seek an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe, while around Rs 62 lakh has been recovered during raids. Two trust office-bearers, including then general secretary Champat Rai, resigned on “moral grounds". The BJP argues that the swift investigation itself demonstrates that there is no attempt to shield anyone. Shot In The Arm For Opposition The Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party have all attempted to keep the controversy alive ahead of the elections, making it one of the first major political flashpoints before the 2027 contest. ALSO READ | Inside The Money Room: As SIT Probes ‘Fund Theft’, Here’s How Ram Mandir Tracks Every Rupee Donated Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called the alleged embezzlement an “insult to Sanatan Dharma" and has promised that an SP government would develop Ayodhya into an exemplary “Siyaram Dham". Congress has organised protests across Uttar Pradesh and accused the BJP government of failing to ensure transparency in the management of devotees’ contributions. BSP chief Mayawati has also questioned the handling of the controversy, adding to the Opposition’s coordinated attack. For the Opposition, the political calculation is significant: instead of opposing the Ram Mandir, parties are attempting to argue that they are defending devotees’ faith and demanding accountability. How Is BJP Responding? Rather than allowing the debate to remain focused solely on the alleged theft, the BJP has sought to project the investigation itself as evidence of transparency. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly maintained that the guilty will not be spared while urging the Opposition not to politicise devotees’ faith.