The Ayodhya mayor, a local BJP MLA and a former party legislator are among 40 people whom the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has accused of illegally trading plots and building infrastructure on such land. Mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay and MLA Ved Prakash Gupta have claimed innocence and alleged foul play in the list of alleged offenders released by the authority.

“The list of 40 people who illegally bought and sold land and got construction work done in the authority area was released on Saturday night,” ADA vice-chairman Vishal Singh said on Sunday. He said action would be taken against all 40 people.

Upadhyay and Gupta alleged a conspiracy, saying they had been falsely implicated. The name of Gorakhnath Baba, a former BJP MLA from Milkipur, also features on the list.Taking a dig at the BJP, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the ruling party’s “bhrashtachari” (corrupt people) should at least spare Ayodhya.

Prior to the Assembly elections earlier this year, rival parties in the state had raised the issue of illegal purchase and sale of land in Ayodhya. Local BJP MP Lallu Singh had written to chief minister Yogi Adityanath demanding a probe by a special investigation team. Akhilesh said in a tweet in Hindi on Sunday: “We have said it before and are repeating it…. The BJP’s corrupt, at least spare Ayodhya.”

He tagged a media report to back his allegation. The Samajwadi Party demanded an investigation into the matter and action against the culprits. "Sin by BJP workers in Ayodhya! BJP’s mayor, local MLA and former MLA are establishing illegal colonies in association with the land mafia.

In collusion with responsible departments, 30 illegal colonies have been set up, causing loss of state revenue to the tune of hundreds of crores. The matter should be investigated. Action should be taken against the culprits,” the Samajwadi Party tweeted.