PM Ayodhya snub: Uddhav expresses faith in judiciary
I’m no bayaan-bahadur: Sena chief
Who was he (Modi) referring to? I am not indulging in ‘bayanbaazi’. I am just highlighting the sentiments of Hindus. —Uddhav Thackeray
After the snub from PM Modi on Thursday, Uddhav Thackeray climbed down on his demand for a special law to build Ram temple instead of waiting for the court judgment. Stressing that he believes in the judiciary, he made it clear he was not ‘Bayan-Bahadur (loud mouth)’. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said his party’s stand on the issue mirrored “sentiments of Hindus”.
“I am amazed at the ‘bayan bahadurs and badbole’ (loudmouths) on the Ram Mandir issue. Every one in the country respects the Supreme Court. The apex court is hearing the case. I want to tell these people with folded hands to have faith in the judicial system,” Modi said at a rally in Nashik on Thursday.
Asked for his reaction on the PM’s remarks, Thackeray, a BJP ally, said, “Who was he (Modi) referring to? I am not indulging in ‘bayanbaazi’. I am just highlighting the sentiments of Hindus.”
While Modi did not name anyone, a section of the media claimed it was a rap on the knuckles for the ally Sena, which is often seen taking a strident stand on the Ayodhya issue, seeking an ordinance to construct the temple.
Thackeray said during his visit to Ayodhya, he had demanded that the (Union) government show courage and “intervene” if there was delay in the court order.
“If the PM feels the verdict will be out soon and we have to be more patient and wait, it is fair enough. The decision of judiciary always makes happy,” the Sena chief added.
Stressing that his party had faith in the apex court, Thackeray added, “But this case is pending in the court for several years. I had gone to Ayodhya last year, and even now, before the (Maharashtra) Assembly poll, I have a wish to go to the temple town again.”
“I am not announcing anything (about visit to Ayodhya) as I haven’t decided as yet,” he added.
Asked if the PM’s praise of CM Devendra Fadnavis for providing a stable government despite not having a majority was attempted putdown for the Sena, Thackeray said the remarks were in the context of no party crossing the halfway mark in 2014 Assembly poll.
“Shiv Sena has never betrayed the government. It has given full support and participation in development works over five years,” he said, adding, “There was a brief period when Sena ministers threatened to resign.”
Thackeray went on to claim the aborted Nanar refinery project was dropped because of the Sena’s opposition, and the Aarey metro car shed plan, also opposed by his party, would not affect the alliance with the BJP.
“Nanar refinery issue is a closed chapter. We opposed the project because locals didn’t want it. I don’t think there is any change in the mindset of the people. We are not opposing the metro project or the car shed. The only thing is that we don’t want it in Aarey forest,” Thackeray said.