-
Targets BJP over attempts to separate Mumbai from Mumbai warns that it will be foiled
-
Shiv Sena will fight BJP’s tactics to destabilize discredit state by deploying central probe agencies
-
Lashes out at BJP for killing of Kashmiri Pandit while providing security cover to Somaiya and Rana
-
Ridicules estranged brother MNS chief Raj Thackeray for projecting himself as Balasaheb Thackeray by wearing saffron shawl and staking claim over Hindutva
Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday tears into former ally BJP, RSS and estranged brother and MNS chief Raj Thackeray on a range of issues including the politically hot Hindutva, polarization, killing of a Kashmiri pandit, Centre’s attempt to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, burgeoning inflation and unemployment, campaign to discredit Maharashtra by deployment of central probe agencies and Centre’s go by to the principles of federalism At a massive rally, against the backdrop of Azaan Hanuman Chalisa controversy and attacks by BJP and MNS, Thackeray declared that Shiv Sena has not left Hindutva and warned that any attempt to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra will be strongly foiled. Thackeray without naming BJP claimed that the fake Hindutva party is misleading the nation.
Thackeray warned that his party will fight against the BJP led government’s attempt to destabilize the state by deploying central probe agencies.
Thackeray said Shiv Sena had kicked ‘donkeys’ out when they broke the alliance with the party post the 2019 Assembly election in the state. “Devendra Fadnavis said that we are gadha [donkey] dhari Hindus. But let me tell you, we kicked donkeys out when we broke alliance with you [BJP]. Our 25 years were wasted in alliance with the BJP,’’ he reiterated.
Our Hindutva is gadadhari [with a mace]. Rahul Bhat was killed by terrorists at Tehsil’s office in JK, now what will you [BJP] do? Will you read Hanuman Chalisa there?” he asked.
The Shiv Sena has claimed that its Hindutva is ‘gadadhari’ (with a mace) while the BJP’s is ‘ghantadhari’ (with bells).
“Some fake Hindutvawadis are misleading our nation. Balasaheb Thackeray taught us that we don’t need Hindus who ring bells in temples. We want Hindus who can thrash terrorists. We have saffron blood in our veins. Don’t try to challenge us,” said Thackeray.
“Who are you to decide our Hindutva? Just because we have gone with Congress we are less Hindutva? Are all parties that joined BJP’s NDA Hindutva parties? What about Nitish Kumar who said the loudspeaker issue is nonsense?” he said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has never been part of the freedom struggle. The Samyukta Maharashtra movement was created by my grandfather and assisted by my father and his brother Shrikant. But you know who dropped out. The Bharatiya Jan Sangh,” said the Chief Minister.
Thackeray countered the BJP’s criticism for going with the Congress, that is its ideological opposite.” They say we went with Congress. We went openly. What about your morning swearing in? Yes, we went with NCP. Had they been with you, you would be singing praises of people like Nawab Malik,” he said. The “bogus Hindutva BJP” formed an alliance with Mehbooba Mufti, he claimed.
Thackeray lashed out at his estranged brother and MNS chief Raj Thackeray for projecting himself as the Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray by wearing saffron shawl and staking claim over Hindutva. ‘’One day he is taking up the Marathi issue, another day Hindutva,’’ he said. He referred to Sanjay Dutt starrer Munnabhai MBBS for Raj Thackeray’s present role and his proximity to BJP.
Thackeray also criticised the Centre over its decision to provide security cover to Kirit Somaiya and Navneet Rana terming them ‘’leaking pots’’ while urging Shiv Sainiks to neglect them.
Thackeray alleged a conspiracy of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra saying that neither BJP nor Fadnavis will be able to do it. ‘’BJP led government is implementing the Mumbai Ahmedabad bullet train. Are you going to travel? (he asked the Shiv Sainiks). It is a part of the Centre’s plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. Shiv Sena will strongly fight it and foil such a plan,’’ he roared.
Further, Shiv Sena president criticised the Centre for delaying the payment of GST arrears and not handing over the Railways’ land for Dharavi redevelopment and Kanjurmarg land for Metro 3 car shed.
CM also criticised the opposition by the Archaeological Department’s opposition to the state government’s plan for the restoration of ancient temples. Besides, the Centre is sitting on the state government’s proposal to provide classical status to Marathi language. He asked Fadnavis to take up these issues with the Centre to resolve them at the earliest.
Thackeray’s sarcastic dig Raj Thackeray
Thackeray took a sarcastic dig at his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, likening him to Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt’s character from the 2003 movie ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’.
Thackeray remarked that in the way Sanjay Dutt’s character was seeing Mahatma Gandhi, Raj Thackeray was seeing late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. He further jibed that in the end, Sanjay Dutt accepted there is ‘chemical locha’ (imbalance) in his brain and Raj Thackeray too would have to accept it.
“Someone told me that there is one case in Maharashtra like ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’. Here is one case in Maharashtra. He (Raj Thackeray) feels like being Balasaheb Thackeray. He wears saffron shawls, sometimes speaks about Marathi, and other times about Hindutva,” said Thackeray.
Watch the speech live here:
Published on: Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10:53 PM IST
