Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party for creating division and poisoning society. He urged his followers to counter ‘Jai Shri Ram‘ with ‘Jai Shivaji‘ and ‘Jai Bhavani‘ during his address to party workers.
He insisted that anyone saying Jai Shri Ram should also be made to say Jai Shivaji and Jai Bhavani. He expressed strong opposition to BJP’s actions, stating his intention to challenge them for their societal impact.
“If anyone says Jai Shri Ram, do not let the person leave without making sure that he says Jai Shivaji and Jai Bhavani. The BJP has poisoned our society. I am going to give the BJP a tough time for what they have done to our society,” he said.
Thackeray questioned BJP’s patriotic stance, noting their changed position on international sports. He pointed out that despite previous opposition to matches with Pakistan, India now plays cricket with both Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Responding to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s assembly comment about project continuity, Thackeray suggested that if Fadnavis wishes to follow his example, he should implement farmer loan waivers and increase funding for Shiv Bhojan and Ladki Bahin programmes in the March 10 budget.
Thackeray explained his decision to pause certain projects during his chief ministership. He stated he would have moved the Metro 3 carshed to Kanjur Marg had he remained in office, claiming that the land is currently being allocated to the Adani group.
The Metro 3 carshed location remained a contentious issue between the BJP and Thackeray’s party. Following the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government in 2022 due to Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, the new BJP government chose Aarey in western suburbs for the carshed, contrary to Thackeray’s preference for Kanjur Marg in the east.
(With inputs from PTI agency)
