Uddhav Thackeray directs Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders to expand Ram Raksha Andolan across Maharashtra

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray has directed party legislators to expand the ldquoRam Raksha Andolanrdquo against the ruling BJP across Maharashtra by taking the campaign to the district level and major citiesThackeray held a meeting with Shiv Sena UBT MLAs and MLCs at his residence ldquoMatoshrirdquo in Mumbairsquos Bandra area late Tuesday evening where he discussed the future course of the agitation and other political issuesThe former Maharashtra chief minister who launched the ldquoRam Raksha Andolanrdquo on Sunday has accused the BJP over the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in AyodhyaProtests planned in Nagpur and other citiesDuring the meeting Thackeray asked party leaders to organise the agitation across districts and in cities such as Nagpur Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and RatnagiriAccording to sources Thackeray or his son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray is likely to participate in the protest planned in Nagpur a city considered politically significant as it is home to the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSSThe party is expected to intensify its campaign in the coming days as part of its strategy to target the ruling BJP over the alleged irregularities linked to donations collected for the Ram templeInvestigation continues into alleged donation theft caseThe alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple came to light on June 7 Following this an FIR was registered on June 25 based on a preliminary report submitted by a Special Investigation Team SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh governmentAccording to officials eight people associated with the templersquos donationcounting process have been arrested so far The investigation into the matter is still underwayThe issue has triggered political reactions with opposition parties questioning the handling of donations and demanding accountabilityElectoral roll revision also discussedApart from the agitation Thackeray also asked Shiv Sena UBT leaders to closely monitor the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls in MaharashtraThe exercise has become a key focus for political parties as they prepare their organisational strategies ahead of future electionsLegislative issues reviewed during meetingThackeray also reviewed the issues raised by Shiv Sena UBT members in both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature during the ongoing monsoon sessionA party legislator said discussions included the performance of party representatives key concerns raised in the Assembly and Council and plans to strengthen the partyrsquos outreach across the stateThe meeting was part of the party leadershiprsquos efforts to coordinate political activities and prepare its workers for upcoming campaignsWith inputs from PTI