Uddhav may visit Ayodhya ahead of Babri anniversary
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to visit Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh just ahead of the Babri masjid demolition anniversary on December 6.
Although Thackeray had recently announced that he would go to Ayodhya after Diwali, senior Sena leaders now said he would go on December 1.
The Sena’s move to rake up the Ram Janmabhoomi issue is aimed at taking on the Bharataiya Janata Party (BJP) – its ally at the Centre and in Maharashtra.
The Sena has criticised the BJP for not fulfilling its poll promise of building Ram Mandir in Ayodhya despite having a majority at the Centre.
The Sena’s move is also seen as an attempt to mobilise Hindu votes, ahead of the elections. “Uddhavji is expected to be in Ayodhya before December 6, the Babri masjid demolition anniversary. Tentatively, the dates would be December 1 and 2,” said a senior Sena leader. He also said during the trip, Thackeray plans to visit Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency.
Meanwhile, the Sena said their Hindutva is “not dogmatic”. Neelam Gorhe, Sena spokesperson, said, Thackeray’s visit to Ayodhya is not “politics”.
“We have taken up the issue [since the beginning]. By going there, we are echoing every person who was part of the movement in the 1990s. After 26 years, the inspiration is still alive and Uddhav ji is trying to have a dialogue.”
Political observers however feel that Thackeray’s move is a strategy to keep the doors open for a last-minute alliance with the BJP. “This is a paradoxical position by Thackeray by appropriating Hindutva agenda. There can’t be two contenders for a common issue,” said Surendra Jondhale, political analyst, hinting at the BJP, which has championed the Ram Janmabhoomi issue since the late 1980s. Jondhale said the Sena would stand to gain little by raking up the issue before the polls.
“Thackeray is trying to create the background for an alliance. The BJP wants an alliance with the Sena. Both can come together on this agenda — Hindutva.”
A day after CM Devendra Fadnavis said both parties could lose if they do not enter an alliance, the Sena remained firm on its stand to go solo. Gorhe said, “Uddhavji is taking reviews. Based on experience of the last assembly elections, any party would be cautious. Right now, we are going solo as was decided.”