Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alleging that the stolen money could have been used to engineer defections from political parties.
Addressing a press conference, Thackeray questioned whether the BJP was carrying out an "Operation Ram Mandir" on the lines of what he described as its strategy of breaking opposition parties by luring away their MPs and MLAs. "The way MPs and MLAs are being broken and this is being called an operation... Is the BJP carrying out an 'Operation Ram Mandir'?" he asked.
Claiming there was evidence of financial irregularities, Thackeray alleged that the money siphoned from the temple donations was being used for political purposes. "There is evidence that theft has taken place. Some people are saying that the money stolen from the Ram Temple is being used to break political parties. Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said that Hindus will no longer be victims. Today, I say Hindus will no longer forgive those who are looting temples," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also said he was prepared to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah if required. "I will certainly visit the Ram Temple with Amit Shah. If the BJP takes out another Rath Yatra, Shiv Sena will participate in it," Thackeray said.
Recalling the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he said Shiv Sainiks had played a significant role in the campaign and that many people still remembered the hardships faced by kar sevaks. "The Ram Temple movement saw the participation of Shiv Sainiks and many Hindus. The atrocities on the kar sevaks are remembered by everyone. Before this movement, the BJP had only two MPs. It is unfortunate that the Ram Temple is now in the news for another reason," he added.
Uddhav Thackeray's remarks come days after six leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) joined the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also announced the launch of a statewide "Ram Raksha" campaign. As part of the initiative, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders are scheduled to gather at the Hanuman Temple in Mumbai's Dadar West on Sunday evening to recite the Ram Raksha Stotra, Maruti Stotra and Hanuman Chalisa.
Inviting people across political lines to participate, Thackeray said, "All Ram bhakts angry over the loot in the name of Ram Temple should participate in it," describing the campaign as a movement "against the loot in the Ram Temple donations across the state".
