Rajkot: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday offered prayers at Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district, ahead of his meeting with party leaders to introspect on the Gujarat Assembly polls results. This was Gandhi's first visit to Gujarat after the elections where Congress won 77 seats while BJP bagged 99.
The Congress president arrived at Keshod Airport in Junagadh and when by road to Somnath temple by road and offered prayers. He also hoisted the flag at temple which is a customary ceremony. Gandhi's last visit to Somnath temple during the election campaign last month had triggered a row after his name was found written in the entry register meant for non-Hindus.
Non-Hindus are allowed to visit the temple but have to first get themselves registered at the shrine's office. A purported photocopy of a page of the register for non-Hindus had gone viral on social media with the names of Gandhi and senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel written on it.
The Congress had called it "fake" while the BJP asked Gandhi to come clear on his religious faith before people. Gandhi had later said that he and his family were devotees of Lord Shiva. Congress leaders in Delhi had said that Gandhi was a 'jaenu-dhari' Brahmin. They had also release old pictures of Gandhi and his family performing pooja.
However, on Saturday, Gandhi did not write anything in the register and offered prayers. After spending nearly an hour at the temple Gandhi reached Ahmedabad to attend meeting with party members.tnn
