Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 27: Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the BJP over its ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ campaign, terming it nothing more than ‘Saugat-e-Power’. Addressing a press conference following the conclusion of the Maharashtra Budget session, Thackeray criticized the ruling party for what he described as its hypocrisy and shifting stance on Hindutva.
Thackeray pointed out that the BJP once accused him of abandoning Hindutva after receiving votes from the Muslim community. However, he said the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ initiative had exposed the BJP’s real agenda. “PM Modi claimed during the Lok Sabha campaign that Muslims would steal the mangalsutra. Now, is it safe? This is not a ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ but a ‘Saugat-e-Power,’” he remarked.
Continuing his critique, he alleged that the BJP has sidelined Hindutva to attract Muslim voters and is only distributing election-driven gifts. “Is this ‘gift’ only for the Bihar elections, or will it continue beyond that?” he questioned.
On the MahaYuti government, Thackeray criticized its Budget, calling it meaningless and failing to address the promises made during the Assembly elections. He accused the government of focusing on hollow announcements while ignoring key issues like farmer suicides, lack of guaranteed prices for crops, and the neglect of crucial reforms in education and infrastructure.
Highlighting law and order concerns, he pointed to incidents such as the murder of a Beed sarpanch, the killing of Somnath Suryavanshi, the Swargate rape case, and financial scams, including Mumbai’s road scam. “What happened to the loan waiver for farmers? Where is the promised financial support for women? The government is all about announcements with no real action,” he said.
He also expressed his support for stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, whose satire on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to a Shiv Sena attack on the studio. “Shiv Sena is one. I do not believe in the group of traitors,” Thackeray declared, without directly naming Shinde.
Slamming Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Nagpur riots, he questioned how such communal violence could take place despite the government’s overwhelming majority. He also distanced himself from the Disha Salian death case, stating that he had no connection to it.
Commenting on the use of Balasaheb Thackeray’s photo by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), he remarked that all political parties had started using his father’s image because “they know there is no alternative” to Balasaheb’s leadership.
Thackeray also criticized the MahaYuti government’s delay in appointing a Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, despite the conclusion of the Budget session. He called it a blatant power play and accused the government of silencing the opposition. Bhaskar Jadhav was recommended for the post, but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis deferred the decision to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar.
Lastly, Thackeray reminded the BJP about the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial project in the Arabian Sea, for which Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone during Fadnavis’ first term as CM. “It is unfortunate that we have to remind the government about its own promises,” he said.