Shiv Sena demands Uniform Civil Code in country

Addressing his customary annual Dussehra Rally, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray lavished praises on ally BJP president Amit Shah, for the bold decision.

Thackeray described Mr Shah as 'a person, who lives up to his words” and said the scrapping of Article 370 was a dream of late party founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

'Amitbhai does what he says… By scrapping Art 370, the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray has been fulfilled,' he added.

Greeting people on the occasion, he said this day is celebrated as the victory of good over the evil.

Talking about Lord Ram, who killed demon king Ravana on this day, he said 'This means Lord Ram existed…So it is our demand that a temple of Lord Ram should come up in his birthplace Ayodhya. We are not seeking votes in the name of the temple, but because it is the desire of all countrymen and the Hindus,' Mr Thackeray thundered, at the Shivaji Park.

He committed that in its next tenure, the BJP-Sena alliance government's performance would be akin to the Ram-rajya.

Dismissing allegations from some quarters that the Sena had 'compromised' and 'bent' in the seat-sharing with BJP, the Sena chief said the alliance was for 'Hindutva,' and such adjustments were a part and parcel of any alliance.

'We want to fly the saffron flag over the Maharashtra Legislature... I apologise to all those, who have lost their seats due to the alliance,' he quipped.

Attacking the Opposition, Thackeray vowed to target them, as long as they singled him out for attacks, but said the Sena never indulges in 'vendetta politics,' which was done, when the Congress had filed a court case against late Bal Thackeray.

Outlining the party's manifesto, he said the youth would be provided jobs on priority, there would be complete waiver of all farm loans, the poor would be given a meal for Rs 10 a plate and full medical checkups would be conducted for Re 1.

Present on the occasion were top leaders, including former chief minister and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi; Thackeray's son Aditya, who is contesting from Worli seat; Mr Thackeray's wife Rashmi, Ministers, MPs, Legislators and other party functionaries.