Coming out in support of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's call to stall Raj Thackeray's proposed visit to Ayodhya on June 5, the Janata Dal (United) on Monday said the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief must first apologise for the "harassment and insult" his party has inflicted on north Indians in his state.
JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said, "Thackeray should come to Lucknow airport with return ticket.”
Despite BJP’s growing closeness with the MNS chief, Singh has been rallying people against Thackeray's proposed visit to Ayodhya, where the Ram temple is being built, citing his frequent comments in the past targeting Hindi-speaking people and cases of violence and harassment against them, allegedly at his instigation, in Maharashtra.
Tyagi said Thackeray must apologise for his utterances and actions allegedly against north Indians and offer assurance of not repeating them in future if he wanted the protests against his visit to be withdrawn.