BJP Maharashtra unit spokesperson Navnath Ban called Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s announcement on Friday that the Sena plans to start an agitation against the theft of Ram temple donations merely a “drama” meant to save his party, which has been hit by defections.
Interacting with media persons at a press conference on Saturday, Navnath Ban said, “During the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, when the BJP raised slogans like ‘Mandir Wahi Banayenge’ (the temple will be built right there), Uddhav Thackeray used to mock the BJP by saying, ‘Mandir Wahi Banayenge, Tarikh Nahi Batayenge’ (temple will be built, but they will never tell us the date). By joining hands with the Congress, Uddhav abandoned the ideals of Lord Ram. He has no right to talk about the Ram temple. His protest is only a drama to save his sinking party.”
The BJP spokesperson alleged that when Hindu saints and luminaries from all over the country were present for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uddhav Thackeray was sitting at home at his ‘Matoshree’ residence.
“Uddhav Thackeray was sitting at home at ‘Matoshree’. He did not want to be present at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony because he was afraid of the Congress, which had denied the existence of Ram by submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court. Now, after losing public support, Uddhav Thackeray should protect his party,“ the BJP spokesperson said.
Asserting that not a single accused who looted the donations at the Ram temple will be spared, the BJP spokesperson said that efforts are being made to ensure that all the accused will be given the strictest punishment.
“The BJP and all Hindus are standing against those who are trying to play with the faith of Lord Ram. But Uddhav Thackeray is trying to hatch a conspiracy to divide Hindus. After he lost public support, he has remembered the Ram Temple,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“People in Mumbai also know how Sanjay Raut’s party looted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 25 years. They never provided facilities to common citizens. It was only after the BJP government came to power that the coastal road was built in Mumbai and the metro began running. It was Chief Minister Devendraji Fadnavis who gave Marathi people of Mumbai houses along with BDD chawls,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“Those who looted Marathi people through the Patra Chawl scam have no right to talk about Mumbai. After the recent accidents in Mumbai, we have suspended four officers. A case has been registered against the contractor. Will Sanjay Raut answer whether any case was registered against any contractor when Uddhav Thackeray ran the BMC for 25 years?” the BJP spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat gave only a very brief answer after media persons in Nagpur asked him about allegations that some people are trying to undermine faith in Lord Ram by creating a controversy about the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
After media persons asked the RSS chief for his comments, Bhagwat merely replied, “Ram Ram“ as he walked away.