Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded enactment of a special law to help its construction of Ram Mandir at AYODHYA .
Speaking at annual dashahra rally of shivsena udhdhav the Shiv Sena is committed to providing reservation in jobs and education to the Dhangar (shepherd) community and will also fight for the rights of “India-loving” Muslims.
In his 35-minute-long speech Thackeray highlighted Ram Mandir issue and said “Courts have a holiday on the day when Lord Ram killed Ravan (on Dussehra). Courts are also closed the day when Ram returned to Ayodhya (on Diwali) after killing Ravan. The only issue of contention now is whether Ram was born in Ayodhya,” he said.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised not to speak on the Ram temple issue as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court verdict is expected this month, but our demand remains that a special law be enacted for construction of a Ram mandir in Ayodhya,”
Mr Thackeray said his party is not the raising the issue of Ram temple for politics or electoral gains.“We are committed to the construction of the temple. When we got our bow and arrow symbol, the issue of Ram mandir wasn’t there,” he said to drive home the point that the sensitive matter was above politics for the party.
Of the 288 seats, the BJP is contesting 164 and the Shiv Sena 124, establishing the latter as a junior ally in a state where it was once the senior coalition partner. “We did make some compromises for the alliance to happen, but they were in the interest of Maharashtra. I apologise to Shiv Sainiks whose seats have gone to the allies”.
Thackeray sought to dispel the notion that the Shiv Sena had “surrendered” while entering into a pre-poll alliance with the BJP for the assembly polls. “You have to continue working hard to make the party strong and work to make sure its victory,” he said,
