Raj Thackeray opens up on his ‘Ayodhya trip’, hits out at opposition

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Says he will be undergoing a surgery in the month of June to address his leg pain and post recovery, he would address a public gathering

Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane

Pune : Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray held a massive meeting at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch hall, Pune on Sunday, May 22, 2022.   During the meeting, he explained the reasons behind his June 5th Ayodhya trip postponement, insisting that the opposition had created a ‘trap’ for him.

He had announced on Friday that his visit to Ayodhya has been put on hold.  Ever since his announcement initially, Raj has been facing stiff opposition from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh who said that the former will not be allowed to enter the city without tendering a public apology for ‘humiliating’ North Indians in the past.

Raj said that he not only wanted to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi but also the place where ‘Karsevaks’ were killed (after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition).

“If I had gone ahead with the trip, something might have happened and my supporters would have taken it head-on and cases might have been booked on them. This would affect my party during elections. I sensed this trap. I prefer criticism that putting my party workers in legal trouble,” he said.

Raj said that he is undergoing surgery on June 1 to address his leg pain and post recovery, he would address a public gathering.

Raj said that the MNS workers would resume agitation if loudspeakers atop mosques do not follow the noise decibel rules.

Raj also took a dig at NCP leader Sharad Pawar and said that since there is no election, there will be no speech in the rain.  

Talking about the Rana couple, he said, “The Rana couple and the Shiv Sena had a nasty rift. Later, Sanjay Raut and Ravi Rana were seen having a meal in Leh. You walk around with those who came to recite Hanuman Chalisa at Matoshree.”

Addressing criticism about his actions, Raj said that the he does not leave any agitation half way.  “The government had to close toll plazas in Maharashtra because of our agitation.  It is because of us that Marathi youth get jobs in Railways. Few political parties are using Hindutva trump card only during elections. They don’t address ground reality,” he said.   

He also said that some parties in Maharashtra were supporting the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM party and that one of them got elected from Aurangabad, after defeating the Sena,

While Raj called the visit of Owaisi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb as shocking, he also hit out at Pawar questioning if the facts about Aurangzeb had been forgotten.

“Pawar says that Aurangzeb came to expand his empire. Did he not come to kill Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? I want to know who is funding for developing Aurangzeb’s shrine in Aurangabad?,” he asked.

Taking on the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

Raj hit out at the CM Uddhav Thackeray for not protesting on relevant issues. Speaking about the Aurangabad issue, he hit out at Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress in Maharashtra for not changing the name of Aurangabad and keeping the issues alive to get votes.

He appealed to the Prime Minister to change the name of Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar.

On AIMIM :

“It’s really sad to know that the person who hatch a conspiracy to kill Maharashtra diety Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and MIM leader is worshipping Aurangjeb graveyard. It’s really Shameful that one who try to kill the rival of Hindavi Swaraj and no one is against such MIM approach. Even NCP chief Sharad Pawar mentioned that Aurangjeb was a Sufi saint. It’s really bad that accordingly to their political move people interpretation take place. Very said to know such poor political drama.”