Congress MLC Mahesh Kumar Bomma criticised the BJP for playing politics over "caste and religion", adding, "Has Lord Ram taken the membership of BJP?" "They invoke religious sentiments only for electoral gains," Bomma stated. Reacting to Bomma's remark over 'Lord Ram', BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Insulting Sanatan Dharma has become the identity of Congress."