New VHP Chief Questions Uddhav Thackeray On Proposed Ayodhya Visit; Asks Him To Build Memorial For Father First

International president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Justice Vishnu Kokaje (retired) has asked Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as to what the point of his proposed visit to Ayodhya this month was. The New Indian Express quoted him as saying, “What is the purpose and use of such a visit? Unless someone has the strength to move something, what is the use of such a visit? The Shiv Sena doesn't have any strength in Uttar Pradesh.”

Instead of focusing on the construction of Ram Mandir, Kokje asked Thackeray that he must think about building a memorial for his father Bal Thackeray. He took a jibe against Thackeray junior by saying that he had failed to build it despite having BJP’s support at the Centre, state and ruling the local municipal corporation.

The proposed memorial is being planned at the Mayor’s Bungalow’s premises in Dadar. The delay was with the approval of permissions required to build it, since it is a heritage structure.

Thackeray is scheduled to make his visit to Ayodhya on 25 November and ‘question’ PM Modi over the Ram Mandir issue. Quite recently, Kokje took over as president of the VHP, replacing Pravin Togadia after a bitter fight.