Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray speaks on Ram Mandir, alliance and Opposition; but silent on Aarey

Mumbai: At the Shiv Sean's annual Dasara rally at Dadar's Shivaji Park, party president Uddhav Thackeray said that the issue of Ram Mandir is above politics and a special law should be made to pave the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Mr Uddhav while addressing the rally at Dadar's Shivaji Park said, "Courts have a holiday on the day when Lord Ram killed Ravan (on Dassar). Courts are also closed the day when Ram returned to Ayodhya (on Diwali) after killing Ravan. The only issue of contention now is whether Ram was born in Ayodhya."

"The Supreme court verdict is expected this, but our demand remains that a special law be enacted for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya," he added. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised not to speak on the Ram Mandir issue as the matter is in the Supreme Court. But his party is not raising Ram Mandir issue for political gains or election campaign but is committed to the construction of the temple.

On BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance:

Thackeray justified on the alliance with BJP for the Maharashtra Assembly Election that the demand of the Shiv Sena to scrap Article 370 was fulfilled by BJP. He also said that no one should dare to betray the Shiv Sainiks.

"The Shiv Sena does not bow before anyone expect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathi speaking people. We did make some compromises for the alliance to happen, but they were in the interest of Maharashtra. I apologise to the Shiv Sainiks whose seats have gone to the allies," Thackeray said in his speech.

The BJP will be contesting on 164 seats while the Shiv Sena will fight on 124 seats of the total 288 seats of Maharashtra Assembly.

Uddhav lashed out on Congress- NCP :

Lashing out at the opposition, Thackeray took a dig at Congress senior leader Sushil Kumar Shinde's statement that the two parties (Congress and NCP) are tired of separate entities and should come together. Thackrey said, " First decide who is your leader - Sharad Pawar or Sonia Gandhi, because of whom the NCP was formed. Don't be tired. Keep yourself fresh to have our victory pedas (sweets)."

Aarey Issue :

While the Shiv Sena Chief spoke on a lot of issues in his 35 minutes speech he was silent on the ongoing Aarey Issue, which has triggered a major discussion about environment in Mumbai, A section of party leaders and workers were worried that this issue could lead to anti-saffron sentiments in the city which could be dangerous in the upcoming Assembly election. Though it is also said that Thackeray could be aasuaging the BJP in the whole issue.