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Congress prepares a statewide political campaign in Uttar Pradesh over the Ram Mandir donation issue. (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday indicated that it is preparing to intensify its campaign in Uttar Pradesh over allegations related to Ram Mandir donations, with the issue set to become a major part of its political narrative ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The party is planning a phased statewide outreach programme after completing its organisational restructuring in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to take the issue from political speeches to grassroots-level voter engagement. Congress leaders believe the debate could gain public attention because of the emotional connection of millions of devotees with the Ram Mandir project and their participation through donations.
The proposed campaign will focus on public meetings, district-level mobilisation, cadre activation and direct voter communication as Congress works to strengthen its electoral presence in the politically crucial state.
According to Congress sources, the party has been raising the issue of alleged irregularities related to Ram Mandir donations during political meetings but now plans to expand its outreach across Uttar Pradesh.
The party has used the phrase chanda chori as part of its political messaging, while representatives associated with the temple trust have rejected such allegations and maintained that donation management systems are transparent.
Congress leaders believe the issue requires a structured campaign instead of remaining limited to statements by senior leaders. The party is now looking to build a dedicated campaign framework connecting state-level leadership with district units and grassroots workers.
The move comes as political parties begin shaping their narratives for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where issues related to governance, accountability, public sentiment and identity often influence electoral conversations.
Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam has held discussions with party leaders regarding the campaign roadmap. The party is waiting for its organisational restructuring process to be completed before launching a larger statewide programme.
The Congress plans to establish a campaign network stretching from the state leadership to district-level teams. The strategy includes strengthening booth-level communication, improving local outreach and creating a coordinated political messaging system across Uttar Pradesh.
Party leaders believe that a stronger organisational structure will be crucial to sustaining the campaign momentum until the Assembly elections.
The issue gained political attention after Congress leaders raised questions about transparency and accountability in the management of Ram Mandir donations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has previously criticised the handling of the issue and questioned the role of the government in matters related to the temple trust. The party has argued that since millions of people contributed financially towards the Ram Mandir project, discussions around transparency and accountability are matters of public interest.
Congress general secretary organisation KC Venugopal had earlier indicated that the party would continue highlighting the issue as part of its larger political campaign.
The temple trust, however, has maintained that donation-related procedures are transparent and managed according to established systems.
The Ram Mandir remains one of the most significant cultural and political issues in Uttar Pradesh due to its religious importance and long-standing presence in public discourse.
For political parties, Ayodhya continues to hold strategic importance because of its influence on political narratives, voter engagement and campaign messaging.
Congress believes the donation issue could connect with sections of voters because of the emotional investment associated with the temple project. However, political observers have pointed out that converting an issue into electoral momentum would depend on campaign execution, grassroots organisation and the party’s ability to communicate its message effectively.
Political analysts have noted that the impact of the donation issue in the upcoming election environment will depend on several factors, including local concerns, competing political narratives and organisational strength.
Experts have also highlighted that Congress will require sustained ground-level mobilisation and an active cadre network to expand the campaign across Uttar Pradesh.
The development reflects the growing importance of issue-based political campaigns as parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The Congress is expected to begin its intensified campaign after completing the organisational restructuring process in Uttar Pradesh. The party plans to continue raising the Ram Mandir donation issue through public programmes, local meetings and political outreach activities during the election period.
As the UP election landscape begins to take shape, political battles around governance, transparency, development and public sentiment are expected to dominate campaign discussions. The Ram Mandir donation debate could become one of several issues that political parties use while attempting to build voter connect ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
