Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as a testament to the power of patience the people of the country kept for centuries.

Addressing a public gathering at the Dwarka Sri Ram Leela Society at DDA ground in Sector 10 in the national capital, he announced that Lord Rama’s arrival is imminent, with only a few months left before he takes his place in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“We are fortunate enough to witness the construction of Ram Temple, and on the next Ramnavami in Ayodhya, every note echoing in Ramlala’s temple will bring joy to the world. The construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram at His birthplace is a symbol of the patience of Indians for centuries. (Bhagwan Ram ki janmabhoomi par ban raha bhavya mandir, sadiyo ki prateeksha ke baad hum Bhartiyo ke dhairya ko mili vijay ka prateek),” the PM said, adding, “There are only a few months left for Lord Ram to reside in the Ram Temple. Lord Ram is just about to arrive…”

In a swipe at the Opposition parties, the PM said that the day should also mark the burning of those forces that try to ‘divide’ the country in the name of casteism and regionalism.

“We have to keep in mind that today, the burning of Ravana should not be just the burning of an effigy. This should be the burning of every deformity due to which the mutual harmony of society deteriorates. Let this be the burning of those forces that try to divide India in the name of casteism and regionalism…,’ PM Modi added.

PM Modi also said that on Indian soil, weapons are worshipped not to dominate any land but to protect its own land.

“On Vijayadashami, there is a tradition of ‘Shastra Puja’ as well. On Indian soil, weapons are worshipped not to dominate any land but to protect its own land. Our Shakti Puja is not just for us but for the welfare of the entire world…” PM Modi.

Extending wishes to the people on this auspicious occasion, the PM said that the country is celebrating the festival of Dussehra after almost two months since its victory on the moon.

” I wish all the countrymen a very happy Navratri and Vijayadashami. The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil. This time we are celebrating Vijayadashami when it has been 2 months since our victory over the Moon. We know the knowledge of Gita and also have the capability to build INS Vikrant and Tejas,” the PM said.

PM Modi further said the people of the country know the dignity of Lord Ram and also know how to protect the boundaries of the nation. PM Modi also witnessed the ‘Ravan Dahan’.

A case has been registered against Madhya Pradesh Transport and Revenue Minister Govind Singh Rajput for “violation of Mode Code of Conduct” in force in the state for the assembly polls next month.

Congress has demanded his removal over “open and blatant offer that he will pay Rs 25 lakh” to the booth where most votes are cast in favour of the ruling party in the state.

According to the FIR, the action was taken following the report of the Returning Officer of the Surkhi assembly constituency.

The case was registered against the minister in Rahatgarh police station in Sagar district under IPC section 188 and section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.

Govind Singh Rajput is contesting elections from Surkhi assembly seat in the district. A purported video of Minister Rajput went viral in which he is seen announcing to give Rs 25 lakh to the polling booth “which gets the most votes” for BJP in the upcoming elections.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, senior party leader and former Mahila Congress chief Shobha Oza urged the Election Commission to bar Rajput from contesting the elections alleging that “he had openly resorted to corrupt practices by offering money to people”.

The Congress leader claimed that this was the result of the realization on part of the BJP that it was losing the electoral battle in Madhya Pradesh.

She alleged that the ruling party in the state had “now started resorting to such blatant inducements with huge cash”.

“He needs to be questioned and asked for the source of this huge amount of money that he was offering to his election booth in-charges,” she said.

Ms Oza alleged that another BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is national general secretary of the party, had offered Rs 51,000 to “agents in the booths where the Congress does not get any vote”.

Ms Oza also claimed that Rajput is close to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

“We demand the Governor (Mangubhai Patel) to dismiss Rajput and investigate the charges against him,” she said.

Madhya Pradesh will undergo assembly polls on November 17 and the counting will take place on December 3.

Campaigning in his assembly constituency, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday recalled the attempt to topple his government in 2020 and said those who tried it, “did not know who they were dealing with”.

“I have been the chief minister of the state three times. I completed all these three terms which is a big thing.

“It is not just that I completed all these three terms… they tried to topple my government this time but they failed. They thought that they would succeed here as well, but they had no idea who they were dealing with” Gehlot said.

The Congress leader was speaking while campaigning in his constituency Sardarpura for the second day. He held road shows and corner meetings in various localities of the constituency.

Mr Gehlot’s then deputy Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs had revolted against him in July 2020. The month-long crisis ended after the intervention of the party high command. Mr Pilot was then removed as the deputy chief minister and state Congress president.

While Gehlot-Pilot ties have been strained since, with both openly taking pot-shots at each other, the party has been putting up a united face in the state in the run-up to the November 25 Assembly polls.

Mr Gehlot expressed gratitude to the people and sought their blessings for the upcoming election.

On Tuesday, his campaigning was focused on Mandore – a Mali-dominant area.

Mr Gehlot, who belongs to the Mali community, also attended a felicitation programme organised by the community in which 836 meritorious students were honoured.

While addressing various gatherings, Mr Gehlot said that it was his duty to come to his constituency immediately after getting the ticket and express his gratitude to them.

“You have always blessed me. So it was my duty to come to you first. Now, with your permission I would leave to take care of the remaining 199 seats,” he said.