Uttar Pradesh, India

As the Indian city of Ayodhya gears to set two Guinness World Records by lighting over 2.5 million diyas, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Faizabad's Member of Parliament (MP) Awadhesh Prasad said on Wednesday (Oct 30), that the city's administration didn't invite him to the Deepotsav event. 

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The MP accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "politicising our festivals". 

Prasad told news agency ANI, "I extend my greetings to all residents of Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali. I consider it my good fortune that I was elected from here. BJP is politicising our festivals too. I hope this will be a festival of brotherhood. BJP is politicising this festival and dividing people. I have not received a pass or invitation to Deepotsav. This festival doesn't belong to any one community. I will be going to Ayodhya today. I have not got any pass or invitation for Deepotsav." 

Also read: In Dhanteras greeting, PM Modi mentions ‘particularly special’ Diwali in Ayodhya

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Lamp lighting event with 2.5 million diyas  

This is the first Diwali after the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The temple will feature two record attempts, an 1100-person Saryu Aarti and the main lamp lighting event with 2.5 million diyas. 

A 30-member team from the Guinness Book of World Records has arrived in Ayodhya to oversee preparations for Deepotsav.

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Watch | India: Ayodhya To Be Lit Up With 28 Lakh Oil Lamps

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Guinness Book of World Records Team In-charge, Nischal Barot announced that two world records are set to be attempted during the festivities in Ayodhya. 

"This is the seventh Deepotsav but this time it is a little special because after the Ram Mandir has been built, it is the first Deepotsav. This time there are two Guinness Book of Records, the first is that a record-breaking number of 1100 people will do the Saryu Aarti and the second is lightning of 25 lakh Diyas," Nischal Barot told ANI. 

Deepotsav, a five-day festival, commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile.  

(With inputs from agencies)