Uddhav Thackeray plans Ayodhya, Varanasi Diwali visit

Mumbai: Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his 'Matoshree' residence on Wednesday. Mr Thackeray is planning his Ayodhya and Varanasi visit, which is scheduled before Diwali. Both leaders discussed the Ram Temple issue, said senior Shiv Sena leaders.

Mr Thackeray slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government over the Ram temple and Hindutva issues. He had already declared his visit to Ayodhya and Varanasi.

He is planning big rallies there and may visit the places Diwali and after Shiv Sena's Dashara rally, said Shiv Sena leaders.

In this backdrop, senior BJP leader, who was aggressively rallying on the Hindutva issue, Murali Manohar Joshi met Mr Thackeray on Wednesday. Both leaders discussed the Ram temple issue and the Hindutva strategy. The issue is pending in the Supreme Court and the government is planning to conduct Lok Sabha and few Assembly elections together over this. Model code of conduct for the four Assemblies may come into force from October-end or November first week.

So, the Union government may not do anything by giving the reason of code of conduct. Mr Thackeray wants to create an atmosphere in the country showing that the Shiv Sena is the only aggressive party in the country on the Hindutva issue and the big rallies could create such an impact.  The image would boost the party on a national level. Considering all these things, Mr Thackeray is planning his visits with leaders.