Not a ‘born loser’ to play opposition despite being in govt: Uddhav Thackeray

The Sena chief, however, continued his criticism of the BJP-led Union government’s Smart City scheme, saying instead of making cities smart the government should focus on solving the problems of water shortage in villages.

Uddhav Thackeray, BJP, Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray at Jalgaon, farmer suicide, mumbai news

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

After months of bickering between allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Sunday said his role was not that of an Opposition, and that he was not a “born loser” to oppose despite being part of the government.

Speaking at Jalgaon during a visit to distribute aid to families of farmers who have committed suicide, Thackeray said, “It is unfortunate that Shiv Sena did not get a full mandate in the Assembly elections. But I decided to join the government keeping my self-respect aside to avoid any instability in the government. My role is not that of an opposition. I am not a born loser to keep opposing despite being part of the government.”

Relations between the BJP and the Sena have been choppy the past few months with the latter opposing the BJP on several key issues such as the land acquisition bill, the state government’s decision of not granting a loan waiver to farmers, and the smart city scheme.

Soon after joining the BJP government last year after a pre-election split, Thackeray had maintained that his party will keep opposing any decision of the government that it thinks is against public interest.

The Sena chief, however, continued his criticism of the BJP-led Union government’s Smart City scheme, saying instead of making cities smart the government should focus on solving the problems of water shortage in villages. “Instead of building smart cities, give our mothers and sisters in the villages some aid, give water to villagers,” Thackeray said.

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