Uddhav Thackeray launches all out attack on PM Modi, BJP

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 30 (ANI): Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday launched an all around attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally here.

Taking a dig at Bullet Train announced by Prime Minster Modi, Uddhav asked why the Government has "forced" bullet trains on the nation as no one will be visiting Ahmedabad just for a trip in the train.

"Why are Bullet trains forced upon us, none of us are going to Ahmedabad for a round trip in a single day. So, why should we take Prime Minister Modi's burden," Uddhav said in a Shiv Sena Dussehra rally here.

He also asked the Government as to why wasn't the train from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Delhi to Kashmir, or Mumbai to Nagpur started.

"If we are getting something for free, will we accept anything that is given us," Uddhav asked.

He said that the Shiv Sena co-workers are his weapon with whose help and confidence he faces everyone without fear.

Speaking about yesterday's stampede that occurred on a narrow foot-over-bridge that connects the Elphinstone Road station on the Western Railway to Parel on the Central line, Uddhav said, "The Prime Minister took to social media and tweeted after yesterday's Mumbai stampede incident. He paid homage to the dead and injured, but what he really means is that they can't do anything more. I couldn't speak after seeing rows of dead bodies in KEM Hospital."

He bashed the Government for the incident and said that instead of appointing a high power committee, they should come down from the same staircase at the peak hours.

"They will realise what happened and they would not need a high power committee to find out what happened yesterday," he said.

Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing the people commented on all the policies of the ruling Government and issues that are prevailing the nation.

- Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Speaking about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill passed by the Government, Uddhav said, "They say that GST is bringing uniform taxation, but where is uniformity."

He said that even Pakistan has cheaper petrol than India and added, "If you have to do something then make the petrol cheaper than Pakistan. All Shiv sainiks will take you on their heads."

- Rohingyas

Uddhav Thackeray speaking about Rohingyas said that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has said a very important thing about Rohingya, "They are not from us. Their own country has thrown them out and even Bangladesh has refused to accept them despite being a Muslim country."

He emphasised that people of India are welcoming Rohingyas.

Uddhav Thackeray bashed All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi.

"Owaisi says that we should embrace them as our brothers, why? Does this country belong to your father," said Uddhav.

He said that their "Hindutva" or their humanity is not so generous that they will accept these people (referring to Rohingyas).

- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Speaking about their alliance party BJP, Uddhav said that they allied with BJP for the sole purpose of "Unity of Hindu votes."

"If they think, that we are of no use for them, then we will see how to deal with it," Shiv Sena chief said.

- Demonetisation

Speaking about demonetisation, Uddhav said, "A poor person was standing in a queue, but no rich people were in queues, and an atmosphere was created, where those who favour demonetization are considered 'Deshbhakt', but those who oppose it are Deshdrohi (anti-nationals)."

Uddhav said that they still opposed this decision because no one can teach another person "Deshbhakti" (nationalism).

"We will thank Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for he appreciated Shiv Sena's stand on Mumbai's local Revenue by Octroi and made special arrangements for Mumbai and some other local bodies," Uddhav said during the Shiv Sena rally.

Octroi was the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC's) biggest source of revenue and the civic budget.

He also said that after demonetization, about 15 lakh jobs were lost.

"Banks have lost lakhs of crores, but still we are being assured that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow. When will it grow and how would you compensate the jobs lost or the money lost," asked Uddhav Thackeray.

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the existing higher denomination currency (Rs 500 and Rs 1000) will be banned or will not be considered legal tenders.

The Prime Minister had said that this is government's biggest push to fight black money and end corruption.

The announcement came as a surprise to the nation, as no warning or notification was provided to which Prime Minister Modi said that he wanted to "surprise" those with black money, so that they are unprepared.

- Kashmir ussue

Asking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) what happened about its slogan of "Ek Vidhan Ek Nishan" (One constitution, one flag and one sovereign head), Uddhav Thackeray said, "I can ask BJP that like you are enjoying power in Jammu and Kashmir, would it dare to abolish Article 370."

The Shiv Sena chief also asserted that when the discussion to abolition Article 370 was going on, the ruling party was threatened by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that no one will be spared to hold Tiranga (the National flag) and hence they are afraid.

"Why are you are afraid for the sake of a deputy Chief Minister post," asked Uddhav Thackeray.

He also said that states like Bihar and J&K are having a deputy Chief Minister, adding that, "Shiv Sena never demanded any deputy Chief Minister post in the state."

Article 370 of the Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to define the state's permanent residents and their privileges but has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

"You are okay with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar abusing you. You are okay with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti threatening you, but why not Shiv Sena that says "Garv se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain" (say proudly that you are a Hindu)," asked Uddhav.

Recalling Shiv Sena founder and father Bal Thackeray, Uddhav said that, "We remember Balasaheb who protected Amarnath yatris without any force of power during those days. But, now everything has changed and Amarnath Pilgrims are getting killed," Uddhav said.

- Jawaharlal Nehru University

Uddhav said that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has deshdrohi (anti-nationals) elements, adding that, "In Gujarat Hardik Patel is an anti-national, and when Prime Minster went to J&K, children had guns in their hands instead of Laptops, they are also anti-nationals."

He further said that if Mumbai university's "laptop bearing students" whose results are delayed, take guns or grenades in their hands, then who would be responsible.

- Beef

Asking the ruling Government as to what their beef policy is, Uddhav said, "In Maharashtra, you ban Beef but in Goa and Kerala your Chief Ministers, Manohar Parrikar and Alphons Kannanthanam promise their people that Beef will be provided."

He emphasised the Government to be clear in its policy about beef.

Bashing cow vigilantism, Uddhav said that cow vigilantes are defaming the country.

"I don't say that go and kill cows. But, I will quote that judge who said that here punishment to kill a cow is more than killing a person," Uddhav said.

Earlier in January, the Bombay High Court upheld the beef ban imposed by the state government after the enactment of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, which bans slaughter of bulls, bullocks.

However, the court said that the possession of the meat cannot be considered as a crime, while striking down the relevant sections of the act.

Slaughtering of cows and sale of cow meat in Maharashtra has been banned and made illegal since 1976, but as per the new law the ban has extended to calves, bulls and bullocks.

On May 25, the Centre, through an order, imposed a ban on the sale of cattle, including cows, for slaughter and restricted cattle trade solely to farm owners. (ANI)

- Saubhagya Yojana

"What is this Saubhagya Yojana, when you are threatening to disconnect power supply, and sending them to jails if bills are not paid," Uddhav said about the recently launched scheme.

He further said that the Government is giving free gas, free stove, free power, but if the grains and vegetables are expensive, what will the people do with that gas or power.

"The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar asked us how we can oppose the Government openly while being associated with it. I will tell you one thing Pawar Sahab, we support someone openly and we oppose them openly," Uddhav said.

He further said that the Shiv Sena doesn't support someone with "hidden hands."

Earlier on September 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana or the Saubhagya Yojana with a target to complete electrification of the entire nation by March 31, 2019.

- Farmers

"During loan waiver movement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that this is not a farmers' Aandolan, but there is some political hand.

"My hands, my legs and me completely was and is with farmers, do whatever you want to do," said the Shiv Sena chief.

Uddhav Thackeray also said how much "greed" will the ruling Government have, asking what does it want, even after winning everywhere.

"Your own leaders are opposing you now," Uddhav said.(ANI)