Will visit Ayodhya, Why Ram Temple Not Built Yet, Shiv Sena Chief to PM Modi

New Delhi: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the “delay” in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“You go to countries which we might not have even seen in geography textbooks. But why haven’t you gone to Ayodhya?” Mr Thackeray asked Prime Minister Modi, addressing his annual Vijay Dashmi rally.
“I will go to Ayodhya on November 25 and ask this to PM Modi,” he said.
Giving an ultimatum to the BJP government, Mr Thackeray said, “Mandir wahin banayenge par taareekh nahi batayenge (We’ll build the temple, but won’t set a date) approach won’t do…Construct the temple or admit that even this was a jumla (fake promise),”
The BJP is facing pressure from several fronts on the Ram temple issue. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said in his Vijay Dashmi speech that the centre should bring an ordinance for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He termed it as “necessary from the point of view of self-esteem”.
On the other hand the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), which is BJP’s ally in Bihar, has voiced its opposition to any such move.
Responding to Mr Bhagwat’s statement, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said, “Wait for the court verdict instead of raking up the issue”. He urged all parties to respect the court verdict.
Uddhav Thackeray’s criticism of the Prime Minister Modi wasn’t restricted to the Ram temple. In his speech, he accused the BJP of failing on several fronts – from controlling inflation to ensuring the security of women.
“(Union minister) Ravi Shankar Prasad says that inflation is not in our control or fuel prices are not in our control. I ask them ‘what is in your control?’ You can’t control inflation, you can’t ensure the safety of women,” he said.
“An avatar of Lord Vishnu is with you and yet nothing is in your control,” Mr Thackeray said in a lighter vein, taking a dig at a recent statement made by Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh calling Prime Minister Modi the “Eleventh avatar of Vishnu”.
Despite being an ally, Uddhav Thackeray has been deeply critical of the BJP and his Vijay Dashmi speech was consistent with his rocky relationship with the party.
In his speech, he also accused the BJP of “lying to the people”. In particular, he targeted Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who recently said, “We didn’t expect we will come to power so we made several promises. Now that we came to power, people come and ask about those promises. So we just remain silent and get away”.
“Some say it is straight-talking but I say it is shamelessness. Such shamelessness is not expected from a Maharashtrian,” he said, referring to Gadkari.
He predicted that the BJP could be voted out of power “because of its lies”.
“The country has become a volcano because of your lies. Once this erupts, you will never be able to come back to power,” he said.
The Shiv Sena chief took a tough line on Pakistan and accused Prime Minister Modi of not having a consistent policy on Pakistan. “Their prime minister comes for the swearing in of our prime minister. Our prime minister goes there to celebrate the birthday of their prime minister. Is Pakistan a friend when you say it is and an enemy when you say it is?” he asked. He further accused the government of not doing enough to stop militancy emanating from Pakistan.