'Parted Ways With BJP, Not Hindutva': Uddhav Thackeray In Ayodhya

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that he had parted ways from the Bharatiya Janata Party but still believed in the idea of Hindutva.

"I parted ways with BJP, not with Hindutva. BJP does not represent Hindutva. Hindutva and BJP are separate," Thackeray said.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister will pay obeisance at the temple and take a 'darshan' of Hanumangarhi. But he is not scheduled to conduct 'Saryu aarti' nor take part in a public gathering.

Speaking in Ayodhya, Thackeray said, "Today, I want to announce that not from the state govt, but from my trust, I offer an amount of Rs. 1 crore for the construction of Ram Temple here. It is just a small contribution from our part."

Thackeray said, "It is an honour for me to come here. When I first came here it was not known when and how the Ram temple would be built here. I am here to seek blessings of Ram Lalla. It is my third visit in the last one and a half years. I will also offer prayers here today.

"I also wished to take a dip in the Saryu River, but as you know in the whole world these days there is an outbreak of coronavirus. And yesterday I urged people of my state to stay away from crowded areas. So I am not participating in the 'Aarti', but I will come back for it again," he said.

(With agency inputs)