AADITYA TO VISIT AYODHYA ON JUNE 10 AS SENA TAKES MNS TUSSLE TO TEMPLE TOWN

IN AN APPARENT DIG AT RAJ, SENA PUT UP A POSTER IN AYODHYA, SAYING ‘BEWARE OF THE FAKE ONE, THE REAL ONE IS ARRIVING’

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena, which leads the Maharashtra’s ruling alliance, on Sunday said Aaditya Thackeray, state’s environment minister and son of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, will visit Ayodhya on June 10, five days after his uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s visit to the temple town.

Raj Thackeray had stirred the Hindutva pot for the past one month, forcing the Sena to react. Ayodhya has become the new battlefield for the two parties. Since Raj Thackeray ’s public rally on April 2, the he has raked up the issues of loudspeakers at mosques and Hindutva to corner the Sena.

Though the Sena is calling the visit apolitical, it has planned a show of strength during Aaditya’s visit. It is also planning to expedite work on Maharashtra Bhavan in Ayodhya to accommodate devotees visiting the Ram temple.

“Aaditya Thackeray will go to Ayodhya on June 10. Thousands of Shiv Sainiks and Yuva Sena workers will accompany him to seek the blessings of Lord Ram,” Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said. “This is not a political programme, but a matter of faith and devotion towards Lord Ram.”

Raj Thackeray is slated to visit Ayodhya on June 5. As the tours of the two leaders are chalked out, the Sena put up a poster in Ayodhya, saying “beware of the fake one, the real one is arriving”.

Raut said that he was unaware of the banners in Ayodhya.

“It doesn’t matter who goes or who doesn’t (referring to Raj’s visit). Lord Ram is for everyone,” he said. “However, if one is going with fake emotions or for politics, then they don’t get Lord Ram’s blessings. Uddhav ji has gone to Ayodhya twice and now Aaditya will be going .... ”