MNS books trains and hotels for Thackeray’s Ayodhya tour

Meanwhile, MNS faces logistical issues in planning the trip as there’s shortage of hotels in Faizabad for its workers

MUMBAI: The proposed visit to Ayodhya by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on June 5 has put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a fix, as some party members voicing for and against Thackeray’s visit.

While BJP’S Kaiserganj MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has vociferously opposed the tour and unleashed a campaign seeking an apology from the MNS chief for his controversial views on north Indians, leader of the opposition and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis batted for Thackeray’s visit, saying that BJP MPS should not oppose the rally.

Meanwhile, the MNS has started preparations for the Ayodhya rally by booking trains and hotels.

After making a switch to the hardline Hindutva agenda, Thackeray announced his visit to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on June 5 and asserted the same during three of his rallies held in April and May. He is expected to oversee the construction of the Lord Ram temple there. He also wants to meet Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, whom he praised for bringing down loudspeakers from mosques.

However, BJP seems to be divided on this. MP Brij

Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “If Raj Thackeray does not want to apologise to north Indians, he should at least apologise to PM Narendra Modi. We will be satisfied with that.” Singh has been holding conventions of religious leaders of temples along with rallies pressing for his demand. The MP had a supporter in Mumbai and within the Bjp-led NDA as union minister Ramdas Athawale jumped into the ongoing debate which created a flutter at the national level. “Raj Thackeray should apologise for hurting the feelings of the north Indians,” said Athawale.

Not just north Indians, but BJP Mumbai’s spokesperson Sanjay Thakur believes Thackeray should apologise to others too. In a letter addressed to Thackeray, Thakur said. “He should apologise to migrant hawkers, taxi drivers, and the labourers who faced his ire.”

Thakur’s views were rebutted within hours by the BJP. “Sanjay Thakur’s views are personal and not of the BJP. Our contention is that any citizen of the country can visit any place of worship. Since Raj Thackeray is coming to Ayodhya as a devotee of Lord Ram, we welcome him there,” said BJP Mumbai spokesperson Udaypratap Singh.

In Uttar Pradesh, Faizabad MP Lallu Singh whose constituency covers Ayodhya has welcomed Raj Thackeray’s visit. Singh contended that anyone seeking refuge to Lord Ram is always welcome. “As devotees of Lord Ram, we welcome anyone seeking refuge in Lord Ram. This is due to the grace of Lord

Ram that Raj Thackeray is coming to Ayodhya and we will welcome him,” said Lallu Singh. He denied that there is any protestlike situation in the state.

The MNS is meanwhile facing logistical issues in planning the trip. The party asked for 10 special trains to visit Ayodhya. However, since it is holiday time, the railways are finding it difficult to accommodate their demands. In addition, MNS plans to house their workers in various ‘Akharas’ as there is a shortage of hotels in Faizabad.