A war of words has erupted between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the ruling BJP over the upcoming Ram Mandir inauguration, after Mr. Thackeray was not invited to the event slated for January 22 next year.
Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Wednesday questioned the BJP’s “actual” contribution to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya in December 1992, while accusing it of having forgotten the Shiv Sena’s and Bal Thackeray’s contribution.
“The BJP has had no role to play in any of the historic struggles that have shaped either India or Maharashtra, be it the freedom struggle, the ‘Samyukt Maharashtra’ movement or the Ayodhya-Ram Janmabhoomi agitation,” said Mr. Raut.
