Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray calls BJP ‘arrogant’, threatens to withdraw support from Maharashtra government

October 30, 2015 by Nasheman

Mumbai: After Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis compared Shiv Sena to a drama company, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday threatened to bring down the state government.

“People taught lesson to Indira Gandhi then what is BJP? If the government keeps behaving in this way, then we will have to bring it down. I will ask all my ministers to resign from the government,” Thackeray, whose party is a junior ally of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra and at the Centre, said.

Earlier, addressing a public gathering in Dombivali, Fadnavis compared Shiv Sena to a drama company while referring to Eknath Shinde’s resignation. Shinde had publicly tendered his resignation from the government in a rally in presence Uddhav Thackeray. However, Thackeray refused to accept his resignation.

Referring to the incident, CM Fadnavis described it as mere theatrics by Shiv Sena to attract attention of the people ahead of local body elections.

riday was the last day of campaigning for the upcoming Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections. BJP and Shiv Sena are fighting the polls separately.

Relations between the Sena and the BJP have deteriorated rapidly ever since the Ghulam Ali concert was cancelled under pressure from Sena activists and then ink was smeared by Sena activists on former Vajpayee aide Sudheendra Kulkarni.

The BJP believes that this is a deliberate attempt by the Sena to embarrass the BJP amid of the all important Bihar assembly elections, where the BJP is locked in a dead heat with the Grand Alliance led by Nitish Kumar.

BJP’s opponents are harping on the cancelation Ghulam Ali concert and the Kulkarni ink attack incident in a big way and highlighting this as proof of the intolerant face of BJP’s friends and the PM’s inability to rein in the fringe.

(Agencies)

BJP can’t cheat people now after promising ‘Acche Din’: Shiv Sena

July 23, 2015 by Nasheman

Mumbai: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray today took a dig at its ally and said that ground realities have remained unchanged despite BJP coming to power at the Centre, promising ‘Acche Din’.

“Even 50 years are not enough to clean up the mess created by the erstwhile government. But a lot has to be done in the next five years to fulfill the aspirations of people.

You (the BJP) had promised ‘Acche Din’ to people and thus cannot cheat them now,” Thackeray said in an interview in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

To a question, Thackeray said that even though the governments have changed at the Centre and in the state, nothing much has changed on “ground”.
“Every morning when we open a newspaper, we keep reading the same news that once bored us…The thought which comes to our mind is that we used to read the same news before. Be it farmers’ suicide, protests of the unemployed people, crimes against women,” he said.

When asked to comment on Pakistani flags being raised in Kashmir, Thackeray said, “Haven’t seen it happen in a long time.” Replying to another query, he questioned the change the BJP has brought after allying with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.

“What can I do? It is surprising. I do not have personal enmity with anyone but what stand did you (BJP) have on Mufti Mohammed Sayeed before (election)? How can you forget his style of politics ? If Kashmir progresses, it is good. But bringing in a change does not mean giving the state a big financial package. People there should be turned back towards India,” Thackeray said.

The Sena chief also reiterated his stand on freeing farmers from their debts and said they should be financially sound so that they can take new debts if they wish to, in future.

(PTI)

Shiv Sena wants Muslims to realise the necessity of family planning

July 7, 2015 by Nasheman

Mumbai: In controversial remarks, the Shiv Sena said the increasing population of Muslims in the country will cause language and geographical imbalance and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Muslims accept the necessity of family planning.

The Sena said that increasing the Hindu population to counter Muslims is not the solution and that the “Sangh” should pressurise the government to strictly impose family planning on all religions.

“From 2001-2011, Muslim population increased by around 24 per cent and must have increased by another 5-10 percent till 2015. The increasing population will cause language, geographical and sentimental imbalance and will create cracks in the unity of the country,” the Sena said in an edit in mouthpiece Saamana.

“The Prime Minister should clearly tell Muslims to obey the law of the land and accept the necessity of family planning. The PM promised to address their issues even if they knock his doors midnight. But, will Muslims similarly run to help the country?” it questioned.

“More than Lokpal, the country needs a Common Civil Code in place,” it said.

“Whoever wants to try Ghar Wapsi can do so. We do not oppose it. But this is not the solution to stop Islamic onslaught on the country. Pakistan has an Islamic government. Even countries like Iraq have an Islamic government. But in those countries, human lives there do not have much dignity.

On the contrary, countries like Turkmenistan, that have adopted modern technology are in the race with Europe and America. Modi government should knock the doors of Muslims and apprise them with this fact,” the Sena said.

(PTI)

Our farmers dying; Modi giving money to Mongolians: Shiv Sena

May 20, 2015 by Nasheman

Mumbai: Shiv Sena today criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a credit line of USD 1 billion to Mongolia and asked why he can’t show the same eagerness to help the distressed farmers of Maharashtra reeling under debt.

The move, Sena said, will only aggravate the pain of the farmers’ soul who have committed suicide in the recent past.

“The PM has announced a USD 1 billion aid to Mongolia, so that relations between the two countries can be further cemented. The PM has taken moral responsibility for development of this small nation. But, this is not a small amount. This will only aggravate the pain of souls of farmers who have committed suicide,” the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’. The NDA Government’s ally at the Centre said Modi has announced credit to a foreign country at a time when hapless farmers, who are reeling under debt from banks and private moneylenders are waiting for financial aid from government.

“We can call Mongolia more fortunate than Maharashtra to have received aid from India because our PM has shown them the financial soundness of the country by giving away such a huge amount,” it said.

Sena also questioned the motive of the Prime Minister and asked why can’t he show the same eagerness to help the distressed farmers of the state. “What was the need for such a huge amount for Mongolia at a time when Indian currency is falling against the US dollar? Why can’t the PM now show the same eagerness to help farmers of Maharashtra and those being affected by his dream of starting a nuclear energy plant in Jaitapur?,” it said.

During his recent visit to Mongolia, Modi had on Sunday announced that India will provide a Line of Credit of USD 1 billion to support expansion of Mongolia’s economic capacity and infrastructure.

(PTI)

Delhi loss ‘defeat’ for Modi, says Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray

February 11, 2015 by Nasheman

Mumbai: With BJP left badly bruised in the Delhi Assembly poll, ally Shiv Sena today added to its woes saying the outcome amounted to “defeat” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and showed that tsunami is mightier than the “Modi wave”.

“It would not be wrong to call the results a defeat for Narendra Modi. Talks had been going on about a Modi wave sweeping the country. But the people of Delhi have shown that tsunami is mightier than a wave,” Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, taking a swipe at BJP over the poll debacle.

The Sena leader, who called up AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal to congratulate him on the victory, said he would attend the oath-taking ceremony if invited.

“I spoke to (Arvind) Kejriwal today and congratulated him on this victory. I also advised him to continue to work for Delhi and not commit the mistake of resigning from the CM’s post again,” he said.

Though Shiv Sena is part of the NDA government at the Centre and BJP-led dispensation in Maharashtra, the relations between the two parties have been far from smooth since the two parted ways just ahead of the state Assembly elections last year.

Uddhav said the Sena will continue to be in the government but at the same time ensure that the benefits of government schemes reached the people.

“When we were in the Opposition, we had a responsibility towards the people of this state. After coming to power, this responsibility has only increased. It is our duty to live up to the expectations of the people. Thus, I and the Shiv Sena will ensure that schemes that are meant to benefit people, actually benefit them,” Thackeray said.

“The people of the country are the final authority. Nobody can take them lightly. The final outcome will depend on what the people of this nation want,” he said.

Despite joining the Devendra Fadnavis government weeks after it was formed after tough negotiations over ministerial berths, Sena has been critical of its handling of agrarian problems in the state and a spate of suicide by farmers.

(PTI)

Shiv Sena to get 12 ministries in Maharashtra government

December 3, 2014 by Nasheman

Mumbai: A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the talks with Shiv Sena over power sharing were 70-80 per cent complete, a senior Sena leader today said both the parties have “buried” their differences and agreed on a “suitable” formula.

According to the pact, Sena will be alloted a total of 12 ministries in the Fadnavis government, out of which 5 will be of Cabinet rank.

However, the formal announcement in this regard is likely to be delayed in the wake of demise of Congress veteran and former Maharashtra chief minister AR Antulay today.

“After discussing our alliance with the BJP over last few days, we have finally decided on a ministry-sharing formula (which is) agreeable to both parties,” said a senior Sena leader whose name is reportedly in reckoning among Sena inductees in BJP government.

“We have decided (with BJP) that Shiv Sena will hold 5 cabinet portfolios in the state ministry and 7 Minister of State portfolios,” he said. He said the expansion of the state cabinet, slated for Wednesday, may get deferred by a couple of days after Antulay’s death.

“We have to follow the protocol after the sad demise of Congress leader A R Antulay. The expansion will be deferred by at least a couple of days now, and thus we will be formally announcing the names of Sena ministers only when the cabinet expansion date is announced,” he said.

Another Sena leader said ministries to be allotted to his party include Industries, Environment, Health, MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) and Transport or Excise.

This is viewed as a tactical climb-down by Sena from its earlier stand wherein it had staked the claim for the crucial posts of the deputy chief minister and home minister.

However, senior Sena leader Subhash Desai who had held talks with Fadnavis last night said that talks between BJP and Sena leaders will continue today.

“We discussed several things last night,” he has said. A Sena leader had said last night that talks with BJP have almost reached a positive conclusion barring one ministry.

When contacted a senior BJP leader said the formula – allotting 5 Cabinet berths and 7 state ministries to Sena – is indeed thrashed out. “However discussions are still on,” he said on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media.

(PTI)

BJP-Shiv Sena alliance of 25 years on verge of collapse

September 19, 2014 by Nasheman

Mumbai: The 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena was on the verge of collapse Friday with both parties adopting a tough stance on the issue of seat-sharing for the Oct 15 state assembly elections, party officials said.

Both the warring partners are holding a series of crucial meetings during the day to take a final call on continuing the alliance.

“It’s on the verge of breaking – Only a formal announcement is awaited,” a senior state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, requesting anonymity, told IANS early Friday.

Similarly, a senior Shiv Sena functionary hinted to IANS that the alliance “is over”, but the party has decided to wait for further developments before declaring its stand.

However, a ray of hope emerged Friday morning for the feuding partners with union Minister Nitin Gadkari meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi over the issue.

Gadkari is expected to arrive in Mumbai Friday afternoon with a compromise formula intended to save the alliance.

The crux of the issue is primarily seat-sharing, besides projecting Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as the next chief ministerial candidate.

The BJP is demanding both parties contest 135 seats each with the remaining 18 in the house of 288 being allotted to other smaller alliance partners.

The Shiv Sena’s latest offer is 119 seats to the BJP, including the share of the other smaller partners, which the BJP rejected outright.

There has also been no commitment from the BJP on who the next chief ministerial candidate will be or from which party.

After BJP president Amit Shah gave indications in his public rallies in the state Thursday that the “BJP will form the next government” without mentioning its allies, the party reportedly served a 24-hour ‘ultimatum’, which Shiv Sena dismissed late Thursday night.

The Shiv Sena also resolved after an emergency meeting that any final decision on the issue – to snap ties or to continue the alliance – would be left to Uddhav Thackeray’s discretion.

Both parties were fully prepared to start filing nominations of candidates from Saturday without finalising the contentious issue of seat-sharing between them.

The sharp tussle between the allies has suddenly changed the political scenario with optimism brewing in the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party camps over their prospects in next month’s elections.

As the BJP-Shiv Sena remained at daggers drawn, smaller partners like the Republican Party of India (A) and Swabhimani Sanghatana squirmed with apprehensions over their fate and future if the matter remained unresolved or the alliance collapsed.

The leaders of the smaller partners have been making desperate attempts to persuade both Shiv Sena and the BJP leadership to work out a compromise solution to the crisis.

(IANS)