THE Samajwadi Party on Saturday said it was quitting the Maha Vikas Aghadi over Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s close aide hailing the demolition of the Babri structure and a related newspaper advertisement congratulated those behind the act. The Samajwadi Party has two MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. “An advertisement was given by Shiv Sena (UBT) in a newspaper congratulating those who demolished Babri structure. His (Uddhav Thackeray) aide has also posted on X hailing the demolition of the mosque,” Maharashtra SP unit chief Abu Azmi said. “We are quitting the MVA. I am speaking to (P president) Akhilesh Yadav,” Azmi told PTI. The SP’s move comes in response to Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar’s post on Babri structure demolition. Narvekar has posted a photo of the demolition of the mosque accompanied by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s quote “I am proud of those who did this”.

 

The Shiv Sena (UBT) secretary also posted images of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and himself in his message. “If anyone in the MVA speaks such language, what is the difference between the BJP and them? Why should we stay with them?” Azmi asked. He said the mosque was demolished and no one was punished for it, adding that people had forgotten about it but wounds are being reopened. “The Congress has to decide whether it can ally with someone who speaks like this,” he told reporters. Hitting back, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav said his party’s stand on Babri Masjid remains the same since 1992. Has the Samajwadi Party realised the stand of Shiv Sena (UBT) after 31 years, he asked. Jadhav accused SP of leaning towards the ruling alliance.