Bidar, 7 Feb

A dispute between the Congress and BJP intensified over the foundation-laying ceremony for the renovation works at the Papanash Temple here after BJP district head accused Congress district minister of re-inaugurating the work for which the Prime Minister had laid the foundation earlier.

Former Union Minister Bhagwanth Khuba said he had made efforts to secure ₹23 crore grant for the development of the historic temple under the PRASHAD scheme. He objected to the fresh foundation-laying event on 7 February by district in-charge minister Eshwar Khandre and sitting MP Sagar Khandre.

In a bid to cool down the frayed tempers, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma clarified that the foundation laying for the project had already been done by the Prime Minister and that the district in-charge minister would only inaugurate the commencement of the works on 7 February.

Accordingly, a programme to launch the renovation works was organised in the Papanash temple area. At the same time, BJP workers, led by district president Somanath Patil and former Union Minister Bhagwanth Khuba, attempted to offer prayers to the Shiva lingam at the Papanash Temple.

However, as a precautionary measure in view of the possibility of tension, the police stopped them at the gate of the temple.

Over the past three to four days, Congress party workers have put up banners across the city in connection with the programme. The BJP had questioned this and warned of protests and announced it would conduct prayers at the temple on the day of the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually laid the foundation stone for the project in January 2024.