AAP to hold rally, soup kitchens as Ayodhya Ram Temple opens

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) aims to counter the opening of Ayodhya’s controversial Ram Mandir with a show of strength in India’s capital on Monday.

AAP sources said the party will hold a “shobha yatra” rally in Delhi featuring senior leaders, coinciding with the temple’s consecration ceremony attended by Prime Minister Modi.

Additionally, the rising political upstart plans to operate community soup kitchens or “bhandaras” across the city to highlight its pro-poor stance.

The moves aim to reinforce AAP’s secular credentials to Delhi voters as Hindu nationalists celebrate the culmination of their decades-long campaign for a grand temple on the disputed Babri Masjid site.

While seeking to check the BJP’s Hindu agenda, the burgeoning regional party also commenced a separate three-day Ramlila reenactment to underscore its symbolism.

AAP seeks to showcase an alternative vision for India as the Ram Mandir takes centrestage in national politics ahead of 2024 polls.