News Brief
NCP leader Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has acknowledged the invitation to the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony in Ayodhya on 22 January, hosted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
While expressing gratitude for the invitation and recognising Lord Ram as a symbol of faith, Pawar won't attend the event on 22 January, reported TNIE.
However, he conveyed his intention to visit Ayodhya after the temple construction concludes.
The political landscape surrounding the event has seen criticism from the BJP, accusing opposition leaders, including Pawar, of keeping away from the ceremony with a tinge of election politics.
Joining the list of absentees, Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), decided not to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, yet refrained from providing specific reasons for his decision.
The Pran Pratishta ceremony is set to take place in Ayodhya on 22 January, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other leaders expected to participate.
The event has also extended invitations to several celebrities and notable personalities.