Modi’s temple run in Nepal to influence voters: Congress

New Delhi/Kathmandu: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to “influence” voters in Karnataka on polling day through his temple visits in Nepal, the Congress on Saturday alleged that the PM timed his visit to the Himalayan nation on the Karnataka poll date and was “sending out a message to Hindus” in the southern state. The external affairs ministry, however, refuted this allegation and said Mr Modi’s visit to Nepal was decided soon after K.P. Sharma Oli’s election as the Prime Minister.

Mr Modi on Saturday prayed at Nepal’s iconic Muktinath temple that is regarded sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists, becoming the first world leader to offer prayers there. He also offered prayers at the famous Pashupatinath temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati river. The Pashupatinath temple is regarded as the most sacred and the oldest temple of Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot alleged that Mr Modi had timed his visit to the Himalayan nation on the Karnataka poll dates, and was “sending a message to Hindus” in the southern state.  Alleging violation of the model code of conduct, he said Mr Modi’s temple visits in Nepal were being aired on the day of polling in Karnataka.   

“This is not a good tradition in a democracy. In Gujarat also, he held a road show after voting. Today, he has adopted a new path. When Karnataka is polling, he has gone to Nepal and is worshipping in temples there, as he could not do so in the southern state due to elections,” Mr Gehlot said. The AICC general secretary said Mr Modi, through his temple visits, was giving out a message to voters in Karnataka on how religious he is and what a staunch Hindu he is.  

“According to Mr Modi, no one other than the people of BJP, the RSS, Amit Shah and him qualify as Hindus,” he said.

“When Prime Minister Modi had telephoned Prime Minister Oli upon his election as the Prime Minister of Nepal, they had discussed the visit then. Prime Minister Oli had then expressed his desire for an early visit by Prime Minister Modi. They had discussed the visits, and the Prime Minister (Modi) had said you (Oli) come first.....So that’s how the sequence has been, first Prime Minister Oli visited India and now Prime Minister (Modi) is in Nepal,” Mr Gokhale said. Mr Oli had visited India in April.

Responding to a question on the issue, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, in Kathmandu, said Mr Modi had telephoned Prime Minister Oli, who was sworn to the post on February 15, to congratulate him and the visits were discussed then. “Whenever state visits take place they are decided as per the convenience of the two nations. No one but the Prime Minister alone can say that I will come at this time...So, don’t focus on the dates, but focus on the content of this visit,” he said.

The former Rajasthan chief minister, however, remained unconvinced with the MEA’s explanation on the dates and reiterated that the PM had timed his Nepal visit to coincide with the Karnataka polls.