Uddhav in Ayodhya: Calling Modi govt ‘Kumbhkarn’ he asks when will it build Ram temple

Arriving ahead of a planned VHP rally for the Ram temple construction, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the Narendra Modi government on Saturday, November 24, to spell out the date when it will be constructed.

Addressing a small gathering in Ayodhya, Uddhav Thackeray said in his 7 minute speech “you say Mandir wahi banaywayenge, par tareekh. Nahi batayenge”. (You say you will make the temple there, but won't tell the date.)

In his typical Marathi tone, that was full of sarcasm and veiled attack on the BJP, Sena chief said,“Humein aaj mandir banne ki tareekh chahiye. Pehle mandir kab banaoge wo batao, baaki baatein to baad me hoti rahengi. Aaj mujhe tareekh chahiye.” (First say when will you construct the temple, the rest we will talk later), he said in what sounded like a dare to the Bharatiya Janata Party government ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

"You take the credit if you like. I do not want credit for the construction of the Ram temple. I have come here to awaken the sleeping lion.''

He said “the UP government and the Central government support us. If the BJP brings the ordinance (for the construction of the Ram temple), then Shiv Sena will support it.”

“Bring the ordinance and build the temple as soon as possible,” he said.

“I have come here for the first time but now I will keep coming here. People ask why have I come here now? Or whether there is any politics behind it? Sometimes there is a clash of opinion and a fight between us. But I have not come here to fight. Ram temple should be built here. Let’s build the temple together. We are all with you. One should have the courage and heart...Now Hindus will not remain quiet anymore,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

The Shiv Sena chief has arrived in Ayodhya for a two-day visit, which he claimed was not a political.