INDIA. Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Uddha Balasaheb Thackeray on Monday challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking him to hold all elections, including assembly, Lok Sabha, and Zilla Parishad elections, simultaneously and face the music.
Addressing a largely attended joint “Vajramooth” (literally meaning an iron fist) rally of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress (MVA) at BKC Ground in North West Mumbai, Thackeray said that if the elections are held today, the BJP will be wiped out of the state. The MVA won the Kasba (Pune) and Andheri (Mumbai) Assembly by-polls. It won the recent Agriculture Price Marketing Committee (APMC) elections and was prepared to face any election.
Criticising the BJP, Thackeray said that in 2014, it was announced that there would be better days ahead and crores of jobs would be made available. “Where are the jobs?” he asked.
Reiterating that the Centre has been misusing central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI, he said that the ED and CBI have been harassing party workers residing even in slums. China has unauthorizedly occupied Indian land and has been changing the map. But the government is busy making changes to the history books. Send ED/CBI officers to China and see whether they return to India.
About the Hindenbug-Gautam Adani probe, Thackeray said that instead of conducting an inquiry against Adani, a lesson devoted to him should be introduced in school and college books.
The BJP has been eyeing Mumbai since it generates the most revenue. Most of the offices have been shifted out of Mumbai. But if an attempt is made to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, the one making such an attempt will be cut to size.
About the proposed oil refinery at Barsu in Ratnagiri, Thackery said that earlier, he had suggested that the refinery could be relocated to Barsu from Nanar. But he did not say that those opposed to the project should be lathi-charged. “I will visit Barsu on May 6, regardless of restrictions”. Is Barsu a “Pak-occupied Kashmir” ? he asked.
Thackeray recalled the fierce battle fought by mill workers, other working classes, and women to achieve “Maharashtra along with Mumbai” and said that statehood never came on a platter. 63 years have passed since the state was formed. The Marathi people fought tooth and nail for a separate state. However, this year, there was an illumination of government buildings by the Eknath Shinde government. Eventually, his party workers decorated strategic places and paid floral tributes at the Hutatma Smarak (martyrs’ memorial).
Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil (NCP), Ashok Chavan, Nana Patole (Congress), and MP Sanjay Raut were present during the rally.
Chavan, in his speech, said that the ensuing Karnataka assembly poll results would indicate the trend at the national level. Now that the MVA has won the APMC and other elections, an attempt will be made to ensure victory in the assembly and municipal elections.
Patole lambasted the Shinde-Fadnavis government, saying that although the Barsu refinery is projected as a huge employment generator, it is meant to help a select few.
Pawar claimed that law and order deteriorated after the unconstitutional Shinde-Fadnavis government came to power in Maharashtra. The farmers are in trouble, but the government is in deep slumber. He also revived memories of Shiv Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray, and said that “Marathi Manus” is safe in Mumbai only because of the foundation laid by Balasaheb.
Pawar claimed that law and order deteriorated after the unconstitutional Shinde-Fadnavis government came to power in Maharashtra. The farmers are in trouble, but the government is in deep slumber. He also revived memories of Shiv Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray, and said that “Marathi Manus” is safe in Mumbai only because of the foundation laid by Balasaheb.
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