Expressing his pre-condition before joining hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday, 24 December, said that his party is not interested in an alliance with Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) till decisions are taken on the Ram temple, farmer’s loan waiver and crop insurance as promised by PM Modi.
“It’s been 30 years and still you say that matter is in court. Hindus are innocent but not fools. Let there be a discussion in Parliament on the Ram temple issue, who are in your favour on this issue among NDA will be clear. Shiv Sena is not interested in alliance with BJP till decisions are taken on Ram temple, farm loan waiver and crop insurance.”Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena Chief to ANI
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also mouthed the Congress' oft-repeated jibe of chowkidar chor hai made in the context of the Rafale fighter jet deal to mount a veiled attack on his senior ally - the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a rally in this temple town in Solapur district, Thackeray used the slogan in a different context while narrating an incident.
Thackeray said, "In one of the state tours, a farmer showed me a pest-infested lime tree. The lime tree is actually used to make pesticides but this was a plant that was infested with pest.”
"The farmer told me that for the first time in his lifetime, he had seen a lime tree getting infested, which they have been using to make pesticides. I had told him that now, days have changed. Security persons have become thieves." "Halli paharekarich chorya karaylaa laagale aahet. (Today, security persons have themselves become thieves)," he said in Marathi.
'Paharekari' is a Marathi equivalent of the Hindi word chowkidar.
Thackeray and his party have been often criticising the BJP and its top leaders, including Modi, on a range of issues. However, this was perhaps for the first time a BJP ally has publicly made the "chowkidar chor hai" taunt.
‘Soldiers Need a Pay Hike But You Do Scams’
Thackeray leveled another attack against PM and said that Modi government refused pay hike to jawans but is going ahead with Rafale jet deal despite corruption charges.
Referring to the Anil Ambani’s defence company as incapable and unfit due to lack of experience in the Rafale Jet deal, a deal steered by PM Modi-led government, Thackeray said, “A company which had no experience was given a contract. Soldiers of our country need a pay hike which you don't give, but you do scams in purchase of arms and ammunition.”
‘Mizoram and Telangana Defeated National Parties’
Thackeray also said that the outcome of Mizoram and Telangana polls has given a clear message that voters have chosen strong regional outfits over national parties.
“BJP India has no face to show now. They had created an illusion that they can win all the elections – from a gram panchayat to New York. I particularly feel proud of Mizoram and Telangana since they defeated national parties,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray also said that PM Modi’s staunch ally Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) and Ram Vilas Paswan of Lok Janshakti Party should declare views on Hindutva and construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
After Ayodhya, Thackeray said he may visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.
(With inputs from PTI)
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