Coronavirus: Uddhav Thackeray Not To Attend 'Aarti' Programme During Ayodhya Visit

Amid coronavirus outbreak, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has cancelled his programme to attend ‘aarti’ on the banks of Sarayu River during his scheduled visit to Ayodhya. He will offer prayers at the Ram Lalla temple at Ramjanambhoomi and Hanumangarhi to mark the competition of his 100 days in office. “Maharashtra Chief Minister & Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya tomorrow but will not participate in 'Aarti' programme on the banks of Sarayu River due to coronavirus,” Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.

Thackeray took the oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra on November 28, 2019. During his Ayodhya visit, Thackeray will be accompanied by this wife Rashmi Thackeray and son Aaditya Thackeray – tourism minister of Maharashtra. The family will reach Ayodhya tomorrow morning on a special flight.

Large number of Shiv Sainiks reaching Ayodhya

Meanwhile, a large number of Shiv Sainiks have started pouring into the temple town, ahead of Chief Minister and party president Uddhav Thackeray’s scheduled visit to the holy city on Saturday. They are reaching Ayodhya in a special train from Mumbai. Party workers from various districts in Uttar Pradesh are also reaching Ayodhya.

Party sources said that some other ministers and top party functionaries will be visiting Ayodhya along with the chief minister.

Political analysts feel that Uddhav Thackeray’s visit to Ayodhya is a move to send a clear message that he has not given up on his Hindutva agenda despite the fact he is running a government in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress in Maharashtra.

CM Uddhav Thackeray may address a press conference before returning to Mumbai.

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In November 2018, Uddhav Thackeray had first visited Ayodhya with his family. At that time, his party had booked two special trains - one from Mumbai and another from Nashik - for bringing Shiv Sainiks.