In a scathing attack on prime minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday asked the saffron party to refrain teaching nationalism.
“Don’t teach us nationalism or patriotism…we have been taught nationalism by Balasaheb Thackeray,” he said addressing the mammoth Dassera rally at Shivaji Park on Saturday.
Thackeray said that surgical strike and demonetisation has failed to curb terrorism in the Kashmir valley. “In fact, terrorism has increased,” he said, adding that corruption also continues.
“An atmosphere has been created that those who favour demonetisation are patriots and those who oppose it or speaking against it are anti-nationals,” he said.
He also made it clear that despite being in the government at the Centre and alliance partner in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena would continue to protest on issues related to common man like price rise and petrol price hike.
However, he asked Shiv Sainiks not to launch personal attacks on Modi during the protests. He said that in Mumbai, petrol cost Rs 80 while in Pakistan, it is Rs 40 to Rs 42.
Thackeray also said that the BJP in it’s lust for power had taken posts of deputy chief minister in Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar.
Speaking on the Valley and Article 370, he said that the prime minister must show courage to scrap it like the one he showed during demonetisation and introducing Goods and Service Tax. “We have not asked for the post of deputy chief minister in Maharahstra,” he said.
DHN
