X: @the_news_21
Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray has declined an invitation to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Surprisingly, the invitation reached him via speedpost. Thackeray, instead, has chosen to be in Nashik on the same day, where he plans to visit the birthplace of Veer Savarkar and participate in religious activities.
The decision not to attend the Ayodhya event aligns with Shiv Sena’s effort to honor the late Balasaheb Thackeray’s contributions to the Ram Mandir agitation. Nashik, historically associated with Lord Ram, holds a special place in the party’s ethos. Sanjay Raut, party MP, highlighted Balasaheb Thackeray’s pivotal role in the Ram Mandir agitation, emphasizing the city’s historical significance.
Coinciding with Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth anniversary on January 23, Shiv Sena (UBT) plans to launch its political campaign in Nashik. The day is expected to see important resolutions passed during the party’s convention, marking the founder’s birth anniversary. Uddhav Thackeray will visit the Kala Ram temple in Panchavati, reflecting the party’s commitment to Lord Ram’s legacy.
In a strategic move aimed at countering the BJP, Uddhav Thackeray has invited President Droupadi Murmu to offer prayers at Nashik’s Kalaram Temple on January 22. This move subtly differentiates Murmu from the crowd attending the Ayodhya event, taking a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It indicates the party’s intention to carve out its unique political space while emphasizing its commitment to religious and cultural sentiments.
Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to skip the Ayodhya event in favor of Nashik showcases Shiv Sena’s focus on regional and historical connections. By commemorating Veer Savarkar’s birthplace and emphasizing the historical significance of Nashik, the party aims to strengthen its roots and appeal to its voter base. The upcoming political campaign launch on Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth anniversary suggests that Shiv Sena (UBT) is gearing up for an active and strategic political year.
