Uddhav went against his father's dreams: Shinde in Ayodhya

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday slammed Uddhav Thackeray, saying that he went against his father's dreams for power.

Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, Shinde said, "Some people are not happy with our Ayodhya Yatra. Some people are allergic to Hinudtva and have been spreading misunderstandings against Hindutva. In 2014, a government with Hindutva ideology came into the country under the leadership of PM Modi."

"Balasaheb had given the slogan of 'Garve se kaho Hindu ho' (proudly say you are a Hindu). So, the ideology of Shiv Sena and BJP have the same," he added.

Shinde said those raising doubts about the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya were shown their way home as the process has started and the work is in full swing.

Hitting out at former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, he said he wants to tell those who used to say this is "ravan raaj" that this government has been made with the blessings of Lord Ram.

"They put (independent MP) Navneet Rana and her husband in jail for reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. When seers were killed, they kept silent. Now, there will be no atrocities on the poor and seers will be honoured and protected," Shinde said.

After paying obeisance to Ramlalla and overseeing the construction work of the temple, Shinde said he is happy that the dream of "Hindu Hriday Samrat" Balasaheb Thackeray and crores of Ram bhakts is being fulfilled.

"Everyone used to wonder when the construction work would start. Some used to say 'mandir wahin banayenge, par tarikh nahi batayenge' (the temple will be built there, but the dates will not be told). But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has got the work started and the dream of crores of Ram bhakts is being fulfilled.... Those asking for the dates have also been shown their way home," Shinde stated.

His supporters were seen carrying saffron flags with the Shiv Sena's election symbol.

Shinde said before the start of the temple's construction work, several opposition parties used to take a dig at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by raising the slogan - "mandir wahin banayenge, par tarikh nahi batayenge".

At Hanumangarhi, the Maharashtra chief minister was given a mace by temple mahant Raju Das. His deputy Devendra Fadnavis and BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh were also present on the occasion.

"I thank you all for being able to see our dream being fulfilled with our own eyes. I thank the prime minister and (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Sagwan wood used in the temple is from Maharashtra and this is our small contribution," Shinde said.

With inputs from agencies