Ram Mandir will be key topic at Uddhav’s Shivaji Park speech

SHIV SENA’S DUSSEHRA RALLY Sena has the tradition to address the public at 'Shiv Tirth' (Shivaji Park), which gives the line its cadre about the future strategy. This time, it will be even more important, since the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are exp

The annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena party has been a tradition of the presidents giving speeches filled with punches. This time, there is an indication Uddhav Thackeray's speech will be about Hindutva and Ram temple.

Uddhav had already announced of his impending visit to the Ayodhya Ram mandir, after Dussehra. He is expected to speak today, critically of the construction of Ram mandir, blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government of it being only a poll promise.

A Sena leader said, "The Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a poll promise to construct the Ram mandir at Ayodhya once they are brought to power. But what have they done in the last four years? In fact, the people believe only Sena will dare to undertake the construction of Ram temple. Sena supremo late Balasaheb Thackeray was the only leader who had taken the responsibility of the demolition of Babari masjid when even BJP denied it," said the Sena leader.

Sena has the tradition to address the public at 'Shiv Tirth' (Shivaji Park), which gives the line its cadre about the future strategy. This time, it will be even more important, since the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are expected next year.

Even though the Sena is in the government BJP, it has been one stormy alliance with Sena playing the role of the opposition. In the last year's Dussehra speech, Uddhav had hinted of walking out of the alliance but has not dared till now. Now, Uddhav has been keeping everyone guessing on Sena's stand regarding the alliance and it is likely he would make some references.

A Sena insider claimed, they all believe Uddhav will speak strongly on the issue of Hindutva. “The alliance between our party and the BJP was forged in 1985 on the grounds of Hindutva. Even though the BJP is the single largest ruling party in the government, it has moved away from the hard core Hindutva line. This BJP has done nothing for the Hindus,” said the Sena leader.

The leader also said, Uddhav is likely to touch upon the fuel price hike. “I am not sure, but I feel, Thackeray would raise the issue of Hindutva and Ram mandir issue during his speech. Inflation, hike in petrol, diesel and gas cylinder price, unemployment would also be some issues which he is liekly to touch upon,” claimed the leader.