Udupi: Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar emphasized that the upcoming consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 is not associated with any political party but belongs to the entire population of India, totaling 140 crore people.

During her visit to Udupi town for the Paryaya celebrations at the Shri Krishna Mutt, Hebbalkar, who is also the Udupi District In-charge Minister, spoke to reporters on Wednesday. She stated, "I personally have a deep devotion to God and adhere to the principles of my religion. I have contributed to the construction of the temple in Ayodhya and plan to visit the new Ram Temple someday. The temple is the heritage of Indian citizens and does not belong to any single party or organization."

However, Hebbalkar declined to comment on the decision of Congress leaders to skip the consecration ceremony. When asked about BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's recent derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Hebbalkar condemned the use of such language for political gain, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

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Regarding Congress member Yathindra Siddaramaiah's statement about Siddaramaiah retaining the CM post for five years if the party secures a higher number of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hebbalkar expressed ignorance about Yathindra's intentions and deferred to the Party High Command for further clarification.

Responding to a reporter's question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road shows for election campaigns, Hebbalkar mentioned that road shows are a regular and normal feature in politics, and the Congress also conducts such events. She criticized Karnataka's Parliamentarians for not addressing the state's issues of floods, drought, and GST-related problems.

Hebbalkar noted the absence of a tableau from Karnataka in the Republic Day celebrations and suggested that the people of the state have already determined how to respond to this perceived neglect.

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New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed the opposition, saying those who were rejected by people 80-90 times were trying to control Parliament by resorting to hooliganism for their own political gains.

Addressing reporters ahead of the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, Modi said such handful of people did not succeed in their intentions but people of the country observed their actions and punished them at an appropriate time.

Modi's remarks came days after the BJP-led coalition won the Maharashtra Assembly elections by a landslide, bagging 235 seats and relegating the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to a distant 49 seats in the 288-member House.

Earlier, the BJP registered a surprise third consecutive victory in the Haryana polls, trouncing the Congress, which was billed as a pre-poll favourite.

"There should be a healthy debate in the Parliament but, unfortunately, certain individuals are trying to control Parliament for their own political gains, resorting to disruptions and chaos," Modi said.

"Though their tactics ultimately fail, the people watch their behaviour closely and deliver justice when the time comes," he added.

Modi said he had been repeatedly urging opposition colleagues, and some also agreed that Parliament should function smoothly.

"But those who have been continuously rejected by the public ignore the words of their colleagues and disrespect their sentiments and that of democracy," the prime minister said.

The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till December 20.