Mumbai: The BJP's central leadership appears to be in trouble due to a recent statement made by Maharashtra cabinet minister Chandrakant Patil, in which he questioned the role of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in the demolition of the Babri mosque.
"Patil's response appears to be directed against Uddhav Thackeray's recent remark that 'all cowards were in the pit' during the Babri Masjid movement, which seems to have caused tension between Patil and the Shiv Sena.
To address the issue, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar reportedly met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday. Following the meeting, Shelar spoke to the media, stating that Patil's comment was his personal opinion and did not reflect the views of the BJP.
He further claimed that the demolition of the Babri mosque was the result of the collective spontaneous response of kar sevaks.
Shelar also emphasized that the BJP has never taken credit for the Ramjanmabhoomi movement and credited the Sakal Hindu Samaj for their role in advocating for a Ram temple in Ayodhya. He praised Bal Thackeray for his support and contribution to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement, adding that Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's contribution to the movement was questionable.
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) has criticized both the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) following Patil's statement.
Patil attempted to clarify his statement, claiming that it was not directed against Bal Thackeray or the Sainiks, but rather that all those devoted to the cause of the Ram temple had come together to do kar seva. The controversy has caused tension between the BJP and Shiv Sena, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.