The Congress on Monday (July 13, 2026) cited the recent controversy over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-corruption credentials, alleging that his “na khaunga, na khane doonga”(won’t take and won’t let others take bribes) promise had degenerated into “khaunga, khane doonga aur khilaunga” (will take and will let others take bribes).

In a post on X, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said Mr.

Modi’s promise, made after he assumed office in May 2014, had turned out to be a “hoax”, and accused his government of delivering “minimum governance, maximum cover-ups”.

Ayodhya, Mr.

Ramesh alleged that the episode had exposed the hollowness of the Prime Minister’s anti-corruption claims and described it as a case of “Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhoka” (theft of donations, betrayal of faith).

“In recent weeks, further evidence of the hollowness of the ‘na khaunga na khane doonga’ bombast has emerged, the massive ‘Chanda Chori Aastha Dhoka’ at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya executed by members of the RSS-BJP ecosystem has shocked the nation’s conscience,” he added.

He said the first time Mr.

Modi’s anti-corruption plank proved to be a hoax was when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described the 2016 demonetisation exercise as “organised loot and legalised plunder”.

Great Nicobar project: Jairam Ramesh says Environment Minister Yadav’s Nicobar defence ‘disappointing’ Mr.

Ramesh alleged that the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation was merged with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to conceal a ₹20,000-crore scam dating back to Mr.

Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister.

He also reiterated the Congress’s allegations that the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme was a “chanda do, dhanda lo” (give donation, get business) operation and referred to the party’s “Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun” (who are we to Adani?) campaign to question the government’s relationship with the Adani Group.

Further, the Congress leader alleged that questions surrounding the Rafale fighter aircraft deal remained unanswered.

Supreme Court directs CBI to probe ‘contracts awarded’ to Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu’s family He also targeted the PM CARES Fund, alleging lack of transparency and accountability, and claimed that audit reports had flagged irregularities in flagship schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

Mr.

Ramesh also referred to allegations involving Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the dismissal of four aides of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and decisions on E20 fuel policy that he claimed would benefit the family of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

“A Minister of State in the Modi Government continues in office even though it is proven beyond doubt that he has taken a subsidy through a scheme run by his own Ministry,” he alleged.

Congress attacks government for permitting ethanol in aircraft fuel The Congress further questioned the Prime Minister’s support for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that he had presided over a compromised examination system that had betrayed the aspirations of millions of students.

Rahul hits out Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, announcing his second interaction with students in Dehradun on July 17 under the Chhattrokigoonj (Students’ Echo) initiative, also targeted the education sector.

“And the truth is – India’s education system has now become a dishonest extortion mechanism,” Mr.

Gandhi said in a post on X.