Shiv Sena, a key ally of the Congress, on Wednesday, staked claim to the Hindutva plank and asserted that its founder Balasaheb Thackeray had ensured that "Hindus cast their vote in the name of religion”.

Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut took a swipe at former ally BJP and said his party's commitment to Hindutva was not limited to politics or elections but to ensure people get access to food, clothes and shelter. “When Babri was being demolished in Ayodhya, those espousing the Hindutva vote bank today had run away. It was the Shiv Sainiks and Balasaheb Thackeray who stood firm in favour of Hindus and were proud of Shiv Sainiks who had demolished Babri,” Raut told reporters here.