Mumbai (Maharashtra):Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday extended an invitation to President Droupadi Murmu to pray at the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik. He also hinted that she "will not be treated as just another one among the crowd," a subtle jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to preside over the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
"Our plans to visit the Kalaram Temple in Nashik and offer prayers on January 22 have already been publicised. The consecration ceremony at Ayodhya should be led by the President, is our wish. But we don't want to get involved in politics, so when we worship at the Kalaram Temple in Nashik, we want the President to visit," Thackeray told reporters.
"My party has sent President Murmu an invitation letter and individual invitations will also be sent by Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to the President," Thackeray said. He also noted that the late President Rajendra Prasad presided at the Somnath Temple's consecration ceremony.
"We'll make sure the President's dignity and etiquette are preserved when she visits Nashik. She won't be regarded like just another person among the crowd. When she offers the prayers, we won't even be in the picture," he added.