Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday dared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to bring down Narendra Modi-led central government if it felt the need to launch an agitation for the Ram temple in the Ayodhya despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) having a majority in Lok Sabha.
“The issue of Ram temple was sidelined after the Modi government assumed office. While the Sena took up the issue and decided to insist on the construction of the temple, the RSS now feels the need for an agitation to press the demand,” he said. Mr. Thackeray was speaking with reporters after a meeting with Sena MLAs, MPs and ministers at the party headquarters, Sena Bhavan, in Dadar.
He was referring to the statement made earlier in the day by RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, at the organistation’s all-India working committee meet. Mr. Joshi said the RSS would not hesitate to launch an agitation, but there are restrictions as the matter is before the Supreme Court.
Mr. Thackeray claimed that the BJP came to power at the Centre due to the hard work of the RSS, but the Sangh’s entire agenda including the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution, which accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and enacting of a uniform civil code, is now shelved.
“Along with Ram temple, issues such as Article 370, Uniform Civil Code are still pending. If the government appointed by you (RSS) cannot solve them, then why don’t you pull down this government?” he asked.
Today’s statement is the latest attempt by the Shiv Sena which has not let go of any opportunity to attack the BJP despite sharing power with it at the Centre and the State.