Cong seeks Maharashtra BJP’s clarification after UP MP demands Raj Thackeray’s apology to north Indians

Maharashtra Congress leader Atul Londhe has sought clarification from state BJP leaders after a UP MP said that he will not allow Raj Thackeray, “who humiliates north Indians”, to enter Ayodhya.

The Congress asked Maharashtra BJP leaders to clarify their stand after BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh warned that MNS chief Raj Thackeray will not be allowed to visit Ayodhya unless he apologised to north Indians.

Maharashtra Congress’s chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said on Friday that while the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is busy rolling out the red carpet for MNS chief’s Ayodhya visit, the party’s MP wants an apology from Raj Thackeray.

“The BJP in the state has sided with MNS president Raj Thackeray on the issue of loudspeakers and the BJP's Uttar Pradesh government is busy laying the red carpet for his visit to Ayodhya. However, BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh Brij Bhushan has taken a stand that Raj Thackeray will not be allowed to set foot in Ayodhya without a public apology,” Atul Londhe said on Friday.

The Congress leader’s comment followed a day after BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh tweeted that he will not allow Raj Thackeray, “who humiliates north Indians”, to enter Ayodhya. Raj Thackeray recently announced that he would visit Ayodhya on June 5.

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Atul Londhe sought clarification from Maharashtra BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil on the UP MP’s statement.

“Does Maharashtra BJP accept Raj Thackeray's role regarding North Indians? BJP MP Brij Bhushan has demanded an apology from Raj Thackeray. What is the role of BJP leaders in the state Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil? This should be understood by the people,” said Congress leader Atul Londhe.