Lucknow, Nov. 8 -- Taking a swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his proposed visit to Ayodhya in December, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Sunday said that political leaders who once opposed 'Sanatan culture' are now turning to Lord Ram out of electoral necessity.

Speaking to reporters, Pathak criticised the SP leaders for avoiding the Ram Mandir until the approach of the 2027 Assembly elections.

"SP leaders never spoke about Ram Lalla's temple in the past. It is the overwhelming force of our eternal culture that even those who oppose it in thought and action now realise that to win votes, they must seek refuge in Lord Ram," he said.

"SP leaders never used to talk about the temple of Lord Ram Lalla....