Uddhav Thackeray attacks BJP over Ram mandir, Rafale deal

Despite BJP's push for a pre-poll alliance, especially after the defeat in the five state assembly polls, Shiv Sena still wants to hold its cards close to its chest on the issue of alliance in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asserted that issues, such as farmers' distress, were more important than the insignificant topic of alliance. Shiv Sena also refuted reports in a section of press on arriving at an equal seat sharing arrangement with BJP.

Thackeray, while attending a rally in Pandharpur, hinted that his party would not evince interest in an alliance with the BJP until a decision is taken on the Ram temple issue, farm loan waiver and crop insurance. After his recent two day visit to Ayodhya, Thackeray on Monday was on a trip to Maharashtra's temple town Pandharpur which houses Vithoba temple and attracts millions of members of the Varkari sect seeped in Advaita teachings.

The Sena chief stepped up attack against the BJP on a number of issues including Rafale deal, lack of any decision on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, crisis faced by onion growers and the BJP-led state government's apathy in providing much needed relief to drought hit 150 talukas in Maharashtra. He insisted that farmers need farm loan waiver on priority.

"I am not power hungry. I just want issues such as payment of minimum support price, farm loan waiver and drought relief are dealt with at the earliest,'' Thackeray said. He also announced a whirlwind visit to drought hit areas from January.

Upping the ante on Ram mandir issue, Thackeray said, "It's been 30 years and still you say that the matter is in court. Hindus are innocent but not fools. Let there be a discussion in Parliament on the Ram temple issue. It will be clear who among NDA members are in your [BJP's] favour."

He also joined the bandwagon to target the BJP over the Rafale jet deal saying that a company (Anil Ambani led Reliance Defence) without any experience was awarded the contract. He claimed that while the government was dilly-dallying over pay hike to soldiers, it indulges in scam while purchasing arms and ammunitions.

Amid slogan shouting by Shiv Sainiks "Pehle mandir phir sarkar (First the temple, then the government), Thackeray said let's see how long can the BJP government at the Centre play hide and seek over the construction of Ram temple.

Referring to the BJP's defeat in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and poor show in Telangana and Mizoram, Thackeray said the BJP created an illusion that it was invincible and can win all elections -- from a gram panchayat to New York.

''I particularly feel proud of Mizoram and Telangana since they defeated national parties," he noted indirectly making his ambitions clear.