Ayodhya: Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, who visited Ayodhya on Wednesday, said that his visit to the temple town is not politically connected but he has come here to seek the blessings of Lord Ram.
Thackeray, who largely tried to stay away from politics, however said that the central agencies have turned into an advertising literature. He was replying to a question about the Enforcement Directorate’s questioning of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
His visit comes at a time when former Shiv Sena ally BJP is questioning the party’s commitment to Hindutva. Earlier, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray had announced his Ayodhya visit on June 5, but it was later cancelled.
“My Ayodhya visit is not politics. I have come here to seek the blessings of Lord Ram,” Thackeray told the media. “Ayodhya is the center of faith in India. In 2018 we gave this slogan – first temple, then government. After Shiv Sena’s slogan, the way for temple construction was cleared. Now Ram temple is being built on the orders of Supreme Court,” he said. Said. He said, “We will pray to Lord Ram to give us the strength to serve the people better.”
Thackeray said talks would be held with the Uttar Pradesh government demanding land in Ayodhya for setting up Maharashtra Sadan. Apart from attending the Saryu Aarti in Ayodhya, Thackeray visited all the major temples including Hanumangarhi and Ram Janmabhoomi. In a tweet after the Saryu Aarti on Wednesday evening, he said, “Experienced supernatural happiness and peace by having darshan of Maa Saryu and participating in the Sandhya Aarti. Long live Rama.”
In a series of tweets, Thackeray said in reference to Ram Janmabhoomi, “It is a matter of good fortune for me that I am fulfilling the dreams of Shri Ram devotees across the world with my own eyes. This was discussed at length. The construction work in a meeting with the artisans i.e. the engineers who shape it.” Thackeray also shared a video of himself in the same tweet.
He said, “Blessed a lot from Ram Nagar Ayodhya and got some unforgettable memories. Hope Banke Bihari ji will call me back soon.” Earlier, in another tweet, the Shiv Sena leader said, “Had darshan of Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita Maa and today went to Shri Laxman fort in Ayodhya and took blessings.”
He made another tweet sharing pictures of Hanuman Garhi Darshan Pujan. “Hanumangarhi saw Bajrangbali ji’s darshan. Bow at the feet of Bajrangbali ji, a symbol of selfless service.” Thackeray also said in a tweet, “Whether it is Hindu Hriday Samrat Shri Balasaheb Thackeray ji, or Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray ji, the relationship between Shiv Sena and Ayodhya is generations old.
We have come here not for politics, but for darshan.” On his first visit to Ayodhya, Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena President and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, reached Lucknow at around 11 am from where he reached Ayodhya by road. According to party officials. Over 1,000 Shiv Sainiks reached the temple town during Thackeray’s visit.
Senior party leaders Sanjay Raut and Eknath Shinde had reached here on Tuesday to take stock of the preparations for Thackeray’s visit. He refrained from commenting on the political developments at large. However, on being constantly asked by the media about the Enforcement Directorate’s questioning of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Thackeray remarked, “All central agencies have become propaganda literature.