New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he hasn’t received an invitation for the consecration of Ayodhya Ram Temple and asserted that he could visit the temple town whenever he felt like and he doesn’t need a formal invite, news agency ANI reported.
Underlining the role of Shiv Sena in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Thackeray said, “I have not received any invitation yet and I don't need one to visit Ayodhya as Ram Lalla belongs to everyone. Whenever I feel like it, I will go. Shiv Sena had contributed a lot to the Ram temple movement.”
He further said that Sena founder Bal Thackeray's voting right was “taken away” for campaigning for the Ram Temple and Hindutva during a bypoll.
Notably, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been inviting several prominent personalities and political leaders for the grand event.
While Uddhav Thackeray was not invited for the event, his estranged uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray has received an invitation to the consecration ceremony.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Uddhav Thackeray said he wished that the event wasn’t politicised.
“I only expect that political event shouldn't be made out of it (the consecration ceremony). Lord Ram is not the property of any single party. This is the matter of faith for crores of people,” PTI quoted Thackeray as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and over 6,000 people are expected to attend the consecration ceremony on January 22.
Have Not Yet Received Invitation For Consecration Of Ayodhya Ram Temple: Siddaramaiah
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has not yet received an invitation for the event and added that he would “look into it” if the invitation comes, PTI reported.
This comes a day after the Congress said it will take a call at an "appropriate time" on whether party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will attend the consecration ceremony.