Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the former Maharashtra Chief Minister took aim at the BJP following a remark by its leader Raosaheb Danve, who had said that "every political party has eaten out of our plate", implying that all parties had received help from the BJP at some point
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. PIC/X
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would have "died of malnutrition" if his late father, Sena founder Bal Thackeray, had not come to its rescue, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ahead of the January 15 civic elections in the city and across the state, the former Maharashtra Chief Minister took aim at the BJP following a remark by its leader Raosaheb Danve, who had said that "every political party has eaten out of our plate", implying that all parties had received help from the BJP at some point.
Reacting to the comment, Thackeray said, "If the Shiv Sena chief (Bal Thackeray) hadn't fed you, you would have died of malnutrition. If this is so, why are you eating leftovers from our plate? How much more will you consume? It seems you have contracted 'Bhasmya' (insatiable hunger) disease. How many of our people will you take?"
He also reminded the crowd that the BJP first came to power in Maharashtra in the 1990s in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena, under the leadership of his late father, PTI reported.
Uddhav further alleged that money was being distributed through UPI to prevent opposition candidates from contesting the civic polls.
"The police should look into this seriously if they are awake," he added.
Addressing the challenges faced by his party, he said, "Our party's name and symbol were taken away, but the people stayed with us. Now we will make a fresh start, just as we did in 1988. We have so many new faces now."
Maharashtra civic polls: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief flags Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s chronic water shortage
Speaking on civic issues, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief highlighted Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s chronic water shortage, saying the city receives water for only 44 days in a year, PTI reported.
"When I was chief minister, the state government had proposed to fully fund the water pipeline scheme for the city. But this government made the city take a loan for the project, and yet it remains incomplete," he said.
Thackeray also criticised the BJP over the appointment of a co-accused in the Badlapur sexual abuse case as a 'co-opted' councillor in Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council.
"We expected that the main accused in the Badlapur case would be brought to justice through a fast-track court. But he was killed in an encounter, which created suspicion that he was eliminated to prevent further names from coming to light. Yet Tushar Apte, a co-accused, was made a co-opted member in the local body, saying he had helped them (BJP) win elections. This is the sick mindset of BJP," he said.
Apte had been the secretary of a school where two children were allegedly sexually assaulted by an attendant, who was later killed in a police encounter. He was named in a case registered against the school management for allegedly failing to report the offence. He resigned after his appointment as a councillor sparked controversy.
Thackeray also addressed the issue of alleged illegal migration from Bangladesh, saying if such infiltration existed, it was the failure of the central government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"The ruling parties are only making people of different communities quarrel among themselves. The country is being pushed towards anarchy as cities are burdened with debt," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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