Eye on polls: Shiv Sena chief likely to visit Varanasi, Ayodhya in September

VARANASI/FAIZABAD: Political temperature in the state is set to soar with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to the temple towns of Varanasi and Ayodhya in September following his call 'Chalo Ayodhya, Chalo Varanasi' in Mumbai earlier this week. The Sena chief is also expected to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple and visit Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.

"Enthused Sena workers are all set to give him a grand welcome when he visits the two towns. In view of the huge crowds of devotees during Shrawan month, we have proposed Thackeray's visit after the holy month," senior Sena leader Ajay Chaubey told TOI.

"Before Thackeray, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut will visit Varanasi in next 10-15 days to finalise the schedule and take stock of preparations. We are gearing up to give a grand welcome to Sena chief, who will also visit Kashi Vishwnath Temple to offer prayers," he added.

Sena insiders in Varanasi claim that Thackeray's visit would set 'Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi mosque' agenda into motion for which Shiv Sainiks have been struggling for years. Every year Shiv Sainiks try to offer ' jalabhishek' to Shringar Gauri in the Gyanvapi mosque premises on the last Monday of Shrawan month, but their bid is foiled by police. This year too, Sena workers would repeat their attempt as liberation of Shringar Gauri is part of the agenda of Shiv Sena. "It has been in our agenda since the time of party founder Bala Saheb," said Chaubey adding that the Sena founder had set the agenda of Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi.

Besides, local Sena activists also perform ' kar seva' at Kashi Vishwanath temple on the second Friday of Sharawn month. "We clean the temple premises and encourage the devotees to adopt environment-friendly puja by shunning use of polythene," Chaubey said.

"In Ayodhya, Thackeray is expected to offer prayer at Ram Janmabhoomi," said state president of Shiv Sena Anil Singh.

He added that Sena will contest all 80 parliamentary seats in UP on its own in the next parliamentary elections.

After Thackeray said that he would visit Varanasi, posters of Lord Ram wielding bow and arrow appeared in Mumbai .