BJP leadership has no trust in its workers from Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

He was addressing an election campaign rally in Mumbai’s BKC for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates. “Never before has an election been fought where workers from outside have been brought to keep a watch on the voters,” he slammed.

He said that deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is inciting riots in Maharashtra by using words like ‘Dharmayuddha’. “Is Dharmayuddha word allowed under code of conduct? During the Lok Sabha, we were asked to remove the word Hindu Dharma? What are you trying to achieve? You are inciting riots in Maharashtra.

Modiji, your disciple is doing nothing but creating rifts,” said Thackeray, adding that the election commission should be approached over the use of this word.

“Fadnavis has been using words like ‘Vote Jihad’, ‘Dharmayuddha’ to indicate Muslims voting for the MVA. Are Muslims banned from voting? You keep calm when Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) visits Jama Masjid or PM Modi goes there,” Thackeray said.

Thackeray termed the ruling Mahayuti as ‘Mahajhooti’ (biggest liars) and said, “If Mahajhooti wins, Gujarat will burst crackers. I am not against all Gujaratis or traders, some are with us. I have no anger against Gujarat or Gujarati voters in Mumbai and Maharashtra. We have never fought. But you should realise that Modi and Shah are building a wall between you and the country. Once they are gone, this wall will turn worse than the Berlin wall,” he said. Thackeray urged Gujarati voters to step up and stop the transfer of businesses to Gujarat.

Slamming the BJP, Thackeray termed the party as a hybrid which has not remained original. “The party has no longer remained original…this election is important because we are seeking justice from you (crowd) as I haven’t yet got justice from the court. I want justice from you all,” he said.

“Modiji you are already defeated when you have to seek votes in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray, whose party you think you have destroyed,” said Thackeray.

Thackeray alleged that his government was brought down to reduce the importance of Mumbai, the financial capital of India. “Mumbai and MMR to be given to builders and developers to increase the GDP of Mumbai. The NITI Aayog in Delhi, prepared a blueprint for Mumbai which killed the importance of BMC. The World Economic Forum (WEF) and MMRDA signed an MoU two months ago. In the first cabinet after coming to power, I will throw the agreement of MMRDA into the dustbin. MMRDA will be asked to not encroach on BMC’s powers and if necessary, I will disband the MMRDA,” he said.

Commenting for the first time on why he did not leave Mahim assembly seat for his nephew Amit Thackeray from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Thackeray said, “I cannot support someone who wants to see Devendra Fadnavis as the next CM and thinks Mindhe (Eknath Shinde) as a good CM. I cannot support those who are against Maharashtra.”