A political controversy broke out over Dussehara with the Congress seeking to paint the BJP as “evil” and vowing to defeat it in the same manner as “good” has been doing for ages.

Congress and BJP leaders sparred as Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined President Ram Nath Kovind at a Ram Lila function near the Red Fort. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh participated in a separate Ram Lila event in the same vicinity.

Kovind and Modi were guests of the Lav-Kush Ramleela Committee, while the Gandhis and Singh were invited by the Shree Dharmik Ramlila Committee.

“In all ages, good has triumphed over evil. India will be a happy prosperous nation once the hate, lies, and violence is defeated,” the Congress said on Twitter and posted a short video featuring speeches of Modi and Rahul.

The video appeared to blame the BJP and its ideology for incidents of violence and portrayed Congress as a party providing relief to the people.

The BJP hit back at the Congress saying the video reflected the frustration within the opposition party which eulogised “dynasty” and had little regard for democracy.

The controversy follows a similar sparring in Bihar where an RJD leader put up posters portraying Tejashwi Yadav as 'Lord Ram' and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the ten-headed demon king 'Ravan'.

The posters were removed after attracting criticism from JD(U) and strong disapproval from the Congress, an ally of the RJD.