Thackeray dares BJP: Joint elections okay, but PM, CMs must lay off campaign

Declaring his intention to soon visit Ayodhya and Varanasi Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said he was prepared to accept the One Nation One Election formula propounded by the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP provided the Prime Minister all Chief Ministers and ministers keep off electioneeringJustifying this contention he said it was to ensure a level playing field for all the political parties since after taking the oath as PM CM or a minister they represent the whole country and not just a particular grouppartyMy father the late Balasaheb Thackeray who first floated this theory said it could ensure free and fair elections only if the elected representatives like the PM CMs and ministers stay away from the election campaign But if you propagate for a particular party then it is a crime in a democracy Thackeray saidThackerays comments came during his annual marathon threepart interview ahead of his 58th birthday on July 27 with Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut which was published as the 5000word final instalment in party mouthpieces Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana todayHe pointed out how as per Election Commission of India ECI norms all government servants are strictly barred from any kind of election canvassing and if caught are dismissed Then why not their bosses ministers CMs PM be also held responsible in a similar mannerThe Sena chief wondered how the PM CMs and ministers are allowed to make big announcements or blatantly use public money to lure the votersThe PM goes and says he will give Rs125 lakh crores for some project Can any leaders of any other political party say this There are restrictions imposed on all parties during elections but you splurge public money for five years not earned by you but by the efforts of the taxpayersa This is not real democracy Thackeray saidHowever he said that if the present rulers are dreaming that One Nation One Election could be a great opportunity to fool all the people simultaneously then they are badly mistaken as the masses are watchingThackeray pointed out how though Prime Minister Narendra Modi often speaks on the emergency and other global topics he never discusses the Ram Temple issue despite the BJP coming in power with a strong majority in the 2014 electionsLord Rams exile is not yet over The BJP said that work on the Ram Temple will start soon but nobody really knows whena This means the Ram Temple card will be played again during elections Thackeray saidThe Sena chief said he would soon visit Ayodhya as also Varanasi Modis Lok Sabha constituency in deference to wishes from lakhs of people in north India who wanted the late Balasaheb Thackeray to go there since the Shiv Sena had made many sacrifices for the Ram TempleI shall go to Varanasi Kashi take part in the Ganga aarti and inspect ahow clean the River Ganga has now becomea I shall go to Ayodhya for a darshan of Ram Lalla and pray at the temple Thackeray saidHe said details for his trip to Ayodhya Varanasi and other north Indian regions will be announced shortly which would serve as an opportunity to boost the Shiv Sena presence thereCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Except for the change in headline the story has been provided ASIS AS AVAILABLE without any verification or editing from our side Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever