The BJP and MNS have been attacking Shiv Sena over its Hindutva credential and remark of the Maharashtra chief minister is being considered as a counter attack. Both the parties have been alleging that the Shiv Sena has come out from the ideals of late Bal Thackeray.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a scathing attack on BJP over killing of Rahul Bhat, a Kashmiri pandit who was gunned down by terrorists on Thursday in Budgam district. Maharashtra CM said that Bhat, a government employee, was killed at Tehsil’s office, now will you (BJP) read Hanuman Chalisa there?
Addressing a gathering in Mumbai, Thackeray said that BJP is misleading the nation with its ‘fake’ ideology. “BJP is a ‘fake Hindutva’ party. Devendra Fadnavis was talking about Hindutva while the fact is that we have thrown him out from the government. They assume themselves to be protectors of Hindutva but who are the people gathered here?” said Thackeray.
The BJP and MNS have been attacking Shiv Sena over its Hindutva credential and remark of the Maharashtra chief minister is being considered as a counter attack. Both the parties have been alleging that the Shiv Sena has come out from the ideals of late Bal Thackeray.
The Chief Minister also countered allegations of joining hands with Congress party, which is ideologically opposite. He said that his party went with the Congress openly. “What about your morning swearing in? Yes, we went with NCP. Had they been with you, you would be singing praises,” the CM said.
It may be noted that coming down heavily on the BJP over reciting of Hanuman Chalisa in front of his residence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, nearly three weeks ago, had said that chanting Hanuman Chalisa is not a problem but the ‘dadagiri’ is. Thackeray, in a stern warning to BJP, had said, “If you wanted to come home to chant Hanuman Chalisa then you are welcome but if you want to do dadagiri then we know how to break it up.”
The Chief Minister had categorically said that they will show what Bheema Roop and Maha Rudra is if anyone challenges the Shiv Sena. Their Hindutva is as strong as Gadadhari Hanuman.
He had said that the BJP is trying to portray that the Shiv Sena has left Hindutva. “What have we left? Is Hindutva a dhoti? That we put it on and take it off? We must remember one thing. Those who are lecturing us on Hindutva must ask themselves what they have done for Hindutva,” said the Chief Minister.
Lashing out at BJP, he had asked, “When the Babri Masjid was brought down, you ran into your hole. The decision to build the Ram Temple was not from your government but from the court. And when it was built you went with a jhola to the people. Where is your Hindutva?”
The controversy was sparked after MNS chief Raj Thackeray gave an ultimatum to the state government over loudspeakers on mosques. He has said that his party workers will recite Hanuman Chalisa near mosques to down the azaan. Throwing its support behind Raj Thackeray’s party, BJP had openly attacked its former ally Shiv Sena.
Independent MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana had announced to recite Hanuman Chalisa in front of Matoshree. On Saturday, as soon as the Ranas were ready to leave for Matoshree in Bandra East, the Shiv Sainiks gathered in large numbers and kept chanting slogans against the politician couple. While there was heavy deployment of police personnel at the Khar residence of the Ranas, the agitated workers had managed to break the barricades and tried to enter the couple’s home.
