Thackeray also targeted the Mahayuti government over its mounting debt burden of Rs 9 lakh crore and referred to the launch of new schemes despite the precarious financial condition
Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said India playing a cricket match with Pakistan has exposed the BJP's "farce" of patriotism and stressed that the country should have shown firmness by not participating, reported news agency PTI.
India won the Asia Cup match against the traditional rivals by seven wickets on Sunday amid boycott calls on social media, with the BCCI drawing heavy criticism for agreeing to the engagement in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Thackeray also targeted the Mahayuti government over its mounting debt burden of Rs 9 lakh crore and referred to the launch of new schemes despite the precarious financial condition.
"BJP's farce (of patriotism) has been exposed. India should have shown firmness by not playing (the cricket match with Pakistan)," Thackeray told reporters.
The Sena (UBT) chief stated that it is now evident why India didn't get support from countries despite sending all-party delegations to several countries after the Pahalgam terror attack.
"When we (India) said Pakistan was a perpetrator of terror, the world is going to ask you questions. Are you Pakistan's enemy or friend? If you are their enemy, then snap all ties," Thackeray said, reported PTI.
The former chief minister slammed the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for backing the BJP in the India–Pakistan Asia Cup match controversy. "They only love their chair and not the country".
Targeting the state government over the mounting debt burden, he said, "If you are taking loans for the benefit of contractors and undertaking construction of dams, bridges, and roads, then I will not call it development. It is necessary to focus on how to reduce the debt," reported PTI.
He also demanded immediate relief to farmers hit by heavy rains.
Earlier, Opposition parties on Sunday staged protests across the country to oppose the India–Pakistan Asia Cup match in Dubai, urging people to boycott the contest with a nation that sponsors terror.
Shiv Sena (UBT) organised protests in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu, while Aam Aadmi Party members staged a demonstration in Delhi.
In the south, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Centre, asking whether the money earned through the India–Pakistan Asia Cup match was more than the value of the lives of those killed in Pahalgam.
Traditional rivals India and Pakistan are facing off in the first match between the two sides since India launched 'Operation Sindoor' in May to hit terror bases in Pakistan-controlled territories following the killing of 26 persons in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The Indian government has allowed the national team to play against Pakistan at multinational events, including the Asia Cup, but has barred any bilateral engagement across sports.
(With inputs from PTI)
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