RSS mouthpiece hits out at Sena in op-ed ‘Uddhav ani Betaal’

“We know several Vikram-Betaal stories from the Puranas. Today, we are listening to, and suffering, the stories of Vikram and Betaal in Maharashtra. There is no sense of proportion between (Betaal’s) ability and his talk,” the editorial in Tarun Bharat read.

It added, “At a time when farmers in the state have been caught in natural calamity, Maharashtra will never forgive Shiv Sena (for bargaining for power). Uddhav Thackeray has been heard several times saying I don’t want power, for me farmer is more important. But it’s unfortunate that (his) action isn’t matched by (his) words. Thackeray’s political understanding and maturity and his close friendship with the Chief Minister is well-known, but it is very painful to see the Betaal riding Shiv Sena’s chest today.”

“Late Balasaheb Thackeray worked tirelessly to rid Maharashtra of the Congress-NCP reign. But this Betaal is bent on destroying his struggle,” the editorial said, adding, “What can be more unfortunate that the whole Sena getting dragged behind this Betaal.”

“Being the single largest party, the BJP can anytime stake claim to form the government. But the BJP hasn’t done it because the BJP honours public mandate for the alliance. The people have clearly said who is the elder brother. But this Betaal says the BJP got 105 seats because of Shiv Sena. What if the BJP, too, makes a similar claim about Shiv Sena’s tally,” the editorial read.

“One may defend straight-forwardness but can one defend pushing of lies under its garb,” the editorial stated. “It is difficult to expect (the Betaal) to know the difference between writing an editorial every day and move about giving interviews to various news channels and running a government,” it added.