Uddhav Thackeray Takes a Dig at “Modi Wave”

Oct 01, 2014 Tushita Politics 0

Raising questions about BJP’s confidence in the famous “Modi wave”, Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said the Prime Minister would not have been invited to address the public if BJP was confident of winning on “Modi wave”.

Taking a dig at former ally BJP for announcing that Narendra Modi would hold poll rallies in Maharashtra, he added, “There are so many statements coming from them (the BJP) that speak about Modi’s plans to hold several rallies for the upcoming State Assembly polls,”

“I have nothing against Modi. But it is very clear that if there was indeed a ‘Modi wave’ in the State, they would not have asked him to hold so many rallies. It is the first time that a PM will hold so many rallies before Assembly polls,” Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said.

The announcement came from him when the Sena president was addressing media at his residence in Mumbai, on the sidelines of a meeting with delegation of Maharashtra Sikh Association workers, who have announced their support to his party for the October 15 State polls.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP general secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, had said that Mr. Modi would address 22-24 election meetings across the State between October 4 and 13.

Dismissing speculations of a post-poll alliance with his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray and clarifying the call that he made to him to ask about his health, Mr. Thackeray said the call made by him to the ailing MNS chief was out of “courtesy”.

“I did call Raj Thackeray to enquire about his health. But we have not met. It was just a courtesy call and if I call him to ask about his health, why is the health of some people deteriorating,” he quipped.

Uddhav also said he still could not understand what prompted the BJP to unilaterally snap its 25-year-old alliance with the Shiv Sena on September25.

“We never broke it. We were keen to continue the alliance, but they suddenly snapped it. I have yet to know why. We shall present the facts before the people of the state,” Thackeray declared.

When asked if Sena’s lone Minister in the Union Cabinet Anant Geete will resign after Mr. Modi’s return from the U.S. trip, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said a decision will be taken after holding consultations with the Prime Minister.

“I cannot comment on what will happen in the future. But once Modi returns, we will have discussions with him, and based on that we will take a final call,” he said.

Earlier, BJP had held that the resignation would come naturally due to breaking of the alliance and that BJP had not made any suggestions about Geete’s resignation to anybody otherwise.

Denying allegations that he had ordered Sena workers to ensure defeat of certain BJP leaders, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said he only wishes good for his opponents.

“I do not think bad for anyone. The Sena is fighting to win elections. I do not want any negative power by my side,” he said.

The BJP has not only broken the alliance with the Shiv Sena, they have broken their ties with the very principles of Hindutva on the basis of which this partnership was formed, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said.

Assembly elections will begin in Maharashtra on October15. The four major contenders, after breaking up with each other, fighting the elections will be – BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP and MNS.

BJP, BJP Shiv Sena, maharashtra, Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray

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Tushita

Tushita is a political writer at thenational.net. Her deep rooted interest in politics, passion for writing and craze for travelling define her. Writing since her school days, she aspires to write lifelong and make the world a happier place to live with the power of her pen.