Show of strength on cards in Ayodhya for Shinde, his leaders

While one special train has been booked for the workers from Thane, many party leaders have booked flight tickets to reach Ayodhya before Shinde, said party insiders.

A Sena functionary from Thane said, “A special train has been booked, which will depart around 3 pm on Friday with over 1,200 workers from Thane… many workers are reaching on their own. Some leaders have already reached Ayodhya to oversee the preparation for the grand visit.”

Naresh Mhaske, the former mayor of Thane and Sena leader had reached Ayodhya on Wednesday to oversee the preparations in Ayodhya.

Sources said accommodation for the thousands of Sena workers and leaders has been arranged in Ayodhya. Apart from Maharashtra, the Sena cadre from Uttar Pradesh is also being mobilised.

Sources said Shinde, along with his MLAs, MPs and senior leaders, will reach Ayodhya on Saturday night. He would be given a grand welcome by the sants and mahants of Ayodhya along with Sena supporters. “Shinde and his leaders would be visiting the underconstruction Ram temple. He will offer prayers at Hanumangarhi temple and Ram mandir and also perform evening aarti on the banks of the Saryu,” said a source.

A senior leader said Shinde is likely to meet Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and will return to Maharashtra on Sunday evening.

The visit will lead to the commencement of the party’s Shiv Dhanushya Yatra, as part of which leaders will tour the state with the symbolic ‘Dhanusha Baan’, which is going to be gifted to Shinde by priests in Ayodhya.