Uddhav slams BJP, says it is clueless, can’t govern, apologises to citizens for not focussing hard on Pune and its infra problems

Stating that when he was the chief minister he had waived the loans of farmers, Uddhav said,”We should hanker for power so that we can work for the people. When I was the chief minister, I did whatever I could…Without anyone demanding, I waived off the loans of farmers. We gave ”Shiv Bhojan Thali” for Rs 10 or sometimes free during Covid period. We extended best possible help to farmers be it during floods or drought. We had made farmers loan free in a time-bound…I repeat, the BJP can’t run the government…They had promised loan waiver in 2017 and still it has not happened. While I completed the promise of loan waiver during my tenure. The only promise that I could not keep during my short-lived government was giving Rs 50,000 as an incentive to farmers for repaying their loan…”

Uddhav said he and Raj Thackeray coming together has caused jitters among the rivals. ”We had split in 2005. After that we have come together on one common issue. If we had no intention to come together, we would not have come together. Since we have decided to come together, our detractors are in a tizzy.”

Uddhav said on the eve of Bihar elections, the Central Government-led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had deposited Rs 10,000 in bank accounts of Rs 75 lakh women. ”Did anyone make such a demand ? I have nothing against the people of Bihar. But the government is paying them when it is in trouble and not when people are in trouble. I want a government which will pay people when they are in trouble.”

Criticising BJP for repeatedly stating that his party has given up the Hinduvta ideology, Uddhav said, while referring to BJP’s alliance with a few parties, said,”Since we have joined hands with Congress, the BJP says we have given up Hindutva. Then is Nitish Kumar a following Hindutva ? Is Chandrababu Naidu a Hindutvawadi. BJP is distributing Sougat-e-Modi. They distributed it to 32 lakh people. Still they call themselves a Hindutva party. It means whatever BJP does is ”Amar Prem” and if others do it, BJP calls its ”Love Jihad.”

Uddhav said,”When we were with BJP, then they called us hardcore Hindutva party. And when we left them, they are saying we have given up Hindutva.”

Criticising the Election Commission of India, the Sena chief said,”I have already said and want to repeat that Election Commission of India has no right to hand over the name of one party to another party. I will never accept that. The name of my party is Shiv Sena and it will remain so. My father has kept the name of the party. No one change the name of my party.”

Stating that Thackeray brand was born in Pune, the Sena chief said Thackeray brand has not taken birth today. ”Thackeray brand has been in existence for long. It has been there fore four-five generations from the time of my grandfather and father. That Thackeray brand was born in Pune. We share a close bond with Puneites. Pune is the education seat of the country. But now be it Pune or Mumbai, they are all in the hand of the builders,” he said.

When he asked as to why his party neglected Pune and concentrated more on Mumbai, Uddhav said,”Our party has good base in Pune. We have been victim of alliances…I want to seek forgiveness from Pune as it got neglected by us. If Puneites want, I will ask my party to focus hard on development of Pune.”

Referring to the infrastructure problems in Pune, Uddhav said,”It is time for us to pause and review whether the development that is happening is really development or not….When I was the chief minister, I had given green signal for use of sea water for drinking purpose by desalinating. Had I remained the chief minister, by this December, Mumbaikars would have got drinking water from the sea. By taking recourse to sea water, we were trying to ensure that we don’t have to cut lakhs of trees for setting up lakes to quench city’s thirst.”

Uddhav said traffic jams have become bane of cities like of Pune and Mumbai. ”We are giving sanctions to building homes. But we should give thought are we in a position to provide them adequate infrastructures. Be it Pune, Mumbai or Bengluru, all these cities are in the grip of traffic jams. Whether you bring in electric vehicles or enthanol, traffic jams will continue to persist.”

To a question regarding Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam’s allegation that the funeral of Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray was delayed by two days, Uddhav said,”I don’t respond to what traitors allege. Everyone knows what Thackerays are all about..” When asked whether such allegations troubled him, Uddhav said,”Yes, I get hurt and pained by such allegations. But when I asked whether I should stop my speech at Shivaji Park rally, thousands of people said replied in the negative. They said I should continue my speech. It acts as a balm. People who bless me stand solidly behind me and not those who abuse me. And that is the reason why I stand firmly on my feet.”

Referring to his Dusshera rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Uddhav said,”In pouring rain and pools of water, Sainiks thronged Shivaji Park. They brought along their own food packets. Despite the heavy rain, several people turned up. There are no doors to Shivaji Park. We did not lock up anyone. Some people might have thought we would lock up the crowd so that they don’t leave when the speeches are being delivered.

As for the possibility of alliance for local self local government body polls, Uddhav said,”We are in Maha Vikas Aghadi. I don’t think we have a problem in fighting the polls jointly. If any one of the party says they want to contest separately, it can do so. We will take the decision after taking our local units into confidence.”

Asking whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi should ”stop” now that he has reached the age of 75, Uddhav said,”Conduct a public poll like done in Kaun Banega Crorepati. Whatever you people say, I will go with you.”