Ram Temple row could influence UP Assembly elections, says survey
The majority of respondents believe the Opposition has the moral authority to raise the issue, even as many continue to trust the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government
The controversy over the alleged Ram Temple donation scam could influence voting patterns in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, according to Amitabh Tiwari, founder of Vote Vibe, whose organisation recently conducted a survey on the issue.
Speaking to The Federal, Tiwari said there is considerable concern among the public over the alleged theft and embezzlement, with nearly half of the survey's respondents believing the issue could shape voting behaviour in the polls, which are six to seven months away.
"Right now, emotions are running very high. Since the alleged embezzlement happened during the BJP's tenure — a party that is widely seen as the protector of Hindu interests and has taken credit for the construction of the Ram Temple — it has created disappointment and discontent among many people," Tiwari said.
Also read | Ram Temple scandal threatens BJP's grip on UP ahead of 2027 polls
He added that people are actively discussing how much money was allegedly stolen, who was responsible, whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will act effectively, and whether justice will ultimately be served.
However, Tiwari cautioned that six to seven months is a long time in politics, and whether the issue continues to matter at the ballot box will depend largely on the SIT's performance. "If the SIT identifies those responsible, recovers the missing funds, introduces better systems and standard operating procedures, and restores public confidence, then the current dissatisfaction may gradually reduce. If that does not happen, then this issue could become an important factor when people cast their votes early next year," he said.
Akhilesh has moral authority to question scam: Survey
According to the survey, a majority of respondents — around 58 per cent — believe Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had the moral authority to question the alleged donation scam, despite his party's historical opposition to the Ram Temple movement.
Tiwari explained that the Ram Temple's inauguration in January 2024 had brought a sense of closure to the long-running dispute, with both Hindus and Muslims broadly accepting the Supreme Court's verdict. The temple issue also did not significantly benefit the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections that followed.
However, after news of the alleged donation theft surfaced, the political slugfest revived old tensions, with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoking the 1990s firing on kar sevaks during Mulayam Singh Yadav's tenure — a reference that brought back memories of the Babri Masjid demolition period.
Against this backdrop, the survey asked whether Akhilesh Yadav had the standing to question the alleged scam, given the BJP's argument that he had historically opposed the temple's construction and had not visited it after its inauguration. Tiwari said the dominant view — cutting across regions, castes and political affiliations — was that he was justified in raising the issue.
Notably, nearly half of BJP supporters surveyed also agreed that Akhilesh Yadav had the right to question the matter. Tiwari attributed this to the emotional weight of the issue for devotees, given that the donations in question were made in good faith. "Even among BJP supporters — or more accurately, among people who have voted for the BJP or its allies in the past — many feel that this matter might never have come to light had Akhilesh not raised it," he said.
Faith in SIT remains high despite criticism
Despite backing Akhilesh Yadav's right to raise the issue, the survey found that a large number of respondents continue to trust the SIT constituted by the Yogi Adityanath government to investigate the allegations.
Tiwari said this apparent contradiction is, in fact, consistent. He noted that Yogi Adityanath is widely regarded as a strong Hindutva leader, and many respondents believe he will ensure that those responsible are held accountable, even though the alleged scam occurred during his tenure.
"That is why many Hindus in Uttar Pradesh, irrespective of the political party they support, are placing their trust in the SIT and expect it to reach a logical conclusion," he said, adding that even a significant section of Samajwadi Party supporters — many of whom are Hindu voters — expressed similar confidence in the investigation.
Controversy tests Yogi's leadership
Tiwari said the controversy has dented the BJP's efforts to project the Assembly election as a presidential-style contest between Yogi Adityanath and Akhilesh Yadav, built around the Chief Minister's image as a strong Hindutva leader with a firm record on law and order.
"When people see something like this happening under a government's watch, they naturally expect the leadership to take responsibility and act decisively," he said, adding that Yogi Adityanath's political image would only be restored through strict action and demonstrable institutional reform.
Also read | Why there's some optimism around SC's handling of Ram Temple donation row
He noted that hyper-local elections tend to be more difficult for incumbent governments, as voters begin scrutinising individual candidates and local governance records rather than broader leadership narratives. "That is why the government will be hoping to settle this matter quickly," Tiwari said.
No clear advantage for either side yet
Asked whether the findings suggested an advantage for the Samajwadi Party, Tiwari said the survey did not directly ask respondents about their voting preference, making it premature to draw conclusions about electoral outcomes.
He pointed out that the Samajwadi Party's momentum following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections had already ebbed somewhat after Akhilesh Yadav vacated his Assembly seat to move to the Lok Sabha, ending his high-profile, frequently viral exchanges with Yogi Adityanath inside the state Assembly. Other Samajwadi Party leaders, he said, have been unable to replicate that direct political contest, while the BJP's victories in other states have reinforced the perception that some of the party's post-2024 momentum has faded.
"What we can certainly say is that this issue is dominating public attention," Tiwari said. "People are closely watching what the SIT does, whether those responsible are punished, and whether the BJP is able to restore public confidence after the controversy triggered widespread dissatisfaction."
