Slamming the BJP of “misusing” the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI to mount pressure on the Opposition Governments in the States, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said his party will never be scared of the Central investigating agencies and that his Government enjoyed the blessings of the people across the State.
In an interview published in the Shiv Sena’s official mouth-piece “Saamana” on the occasion of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government completing one year in office, Uddhav said, “I am quiet and patient. But that does not mean I am impotent. The manner in which our families are being attacked is not the culture of Maharashtra. If we are practitioners of Hindutva, if you attack our families and children, you should realise that you also have families and children. You are not like clean rice. If we decide, we as the followers of Shivaji know how to cook and make ‘khichdi’ out of you.”
Handing out an indirect advice to the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, Uddhav said, “If you are misusing power, remember that power does not last forever. You too have faced cases in the past and Balasaheb had saved you then.”
On the BJP’s criticism that he does not do anything beyond advising the people to wash their hands, the chief minister said: “Currently, I am only advising the people to wash hands for now. If they continue to indulge in attacks against us, then I will come after you. Some people have gone mad. They need treatment”.
Uddhav said his three-party Government was running smoothly. “I have perfect coordination with the Congress and NCP. I do not have to indulge in acrobatics in running the Government”
On the Shiv Sena and Hindutva, Uddhav said, “Hindutva is not a dhoti that we can change. It is in our blood and veins. I believe in my father’s and grandfather’s concept of Hindutva. We do not believe in ‘temple bell banging’ Hindutva, we believe in a ‘terrorist banging Hindutva’ and my father proved it in 1992-93. When no one was ready to accept responsibility for the demolition of Babri, late Balasaheh and my father owned it up. Ram Mandir is happening because of the court’s decision. No political party should take credit for it”
In a sharp attack against the BJP, Uddhav said, “Hindutva is not pooja, banging temple bells or thalis. That does not cure corona. No one should do politics in the guise of Hindutva and teach us what Hindutva is. First saffron swarajya was
established by Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra, so do not teach us that.”
On the “Love Jehad”, Uddhav said, “Instead of indulging in politics of ‘love jehad’, why shouldn’t the concept of Love Jehad be practised in politics? They (BJP) are opposed to a Muslim boy marrying a Hindu girl. Then how did you (BJP) have an alliance with Mehbooba Mufti or Nitish Kumar or Chandrababu Naidu? Alliance with different political parties with different ideologies works for you, isn’t this ‘love jehad’?”
