Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is leaving for Ayodhya this evening, and will be accompanied by Shiv Sena leaders and senior BJP ministers Girish Mahajan and Sudhir Mungantiwar.
Shinde, who claims to be the true inheritor of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology, knows well that Thackeray had wanted to see a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya. When Babri Masjid was demolished by kar sevaks on December 6, 1992, and BJP leaders shied away from taking responsibility, it was Thackeray who had said that 'if Shiv Sainiks were involved in the demolition of mosque, he is very happy'.
One may recall that it was Shinde who had planned and organised Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray's Ayodhya visit when Shiv Sena was united. In fact, during Uddhav Thackeray's last visit, all legislators supporting Shinde, who eventually rebelled against the former's leadership, wanted to go to Ayodhya. But Uddhav Thackeray told them not to leave their constituencies and districts as he sensed that so many MLAs leaving Maharashtra could spell trouble.
Shinde is a strong believer in religion and deities, and performs pooja daily. He has been associated with Ganesh Chathurthi and Navaratri festivals in his bastion Thane. In fact, during Ganesh Chathurthi, he makes it a point to visit his supporters or the pandals, he gets invited to – a practice that has helped his popularity.
So, when he flagged off the special train from Thane to Ayodhya yesterday, his supporters found nothing new in it. He has been wanting to go to Ayodhya ever since he took oath as the Maharashtra chief minister. But, he was advised to first settle down as the CM of the state, start running the administration effectively and then visit the Ram temple at Ayodhya.
Almost all the legislators who sided with Shinde in the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, are likely to travel to Ayodhya with him, along with their supporters. Hence, two special trains - one from Thane and the other from Nashik - have been arranged.
According to Shinde's spokesperson Viraj Mulye, they will reach Lucknow in the evening and will go to Ayodhya by a special helicopter in the morning.
At Ayodhya, Shinde will be welcomed by Acharya Paramhansa. The CM will then perform a pooja at the Hanuman Gadhi temple, and then at the Ram temple. He will perform a mahapooja and maha aarti. Shinde will then meet the seers and mahants. He will also see the construction of the temple complex, and address the media.
They will return to Mumbai by late night on April 9.