Strains surfaced once again in the relations between the two ruling saffron alliance partners, as Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and BJP’s senior Minister Eknath Khadse exchanged barbs over the Sena’s support to the Devendra Fadnavis-led Government. Addressing the party cadre at a function organised at the Shanmukhananda Hall here on the occasion of late Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s 89th birth anniversary, an assertive Uddhav said, “We have made some compromises to make the BJP-led Government stable in Maharashtra. But, that does not mean that we have laid down our arms”.
“Yes we have made this Government stable. We definitely have some expectations from this Government. If good things happen, we welcome them without hesitation. However, on the issue of ensuring justice to Marathi people, our MlAs and MPs will crusade in the corridors of power”. Responding to a comment from Khadse, Uddhav said, “I know whom to respond in which way. I have all along been doing so. Even in future, I will continue to give a fitting reply”.
Earlier in the day, Khadse had taken a pot shot at the Shiv Sena, by saying, “On one hand, the Sena is in our Government. As a result, our Government has become more stable. If making our Government stable is only their intention, they (Sena) could have done so by supporting our Government from outside”.
On his part, Uddhav sought to pep up his cadres as he spoke at the 89th birth anniversary celebrations at the Shanmukhananda Hall, where he made it clear that even though it was a part of the Devendra Fadnavis Government, the Sena was not at all the mercy of the BJP. Taking an indirect dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uddhav said that the Sena had not won seats in the State Assembly polls because of any particular wave and his party had established its current position on its own strength.
"We are at nobody's mercy. Nor have reached this position riding any wave. The electoral battle was tough. But, we still won 63 seats,” the Sena president said. Making a strong case for repealing of Article 370 of Constitution, Uddhav said it was time that the Narendra Modi government focussed on the “ghar-wapsi” (return home) of Kashmiri pandits in Jammu & Kashmir.
"Before elections, it is easy to talk about repealing Article 370 and bringing Uniform Civil Code. Now that there is a strong Government at the Centre, it is time for the BJP to act. People of Jammu have supported the BJP wholeheartedly. Hence the promises made to them should be fulfilled,” he said. Uddhav said he expected that a new Government would be formed in Jammu & Kashmir after the Delhi Assembly polls.
On the proposed memorial for late Bal Thackeray, Uddhav said that mere installation of a statue would not regarded as a memorial. “Setting up of a memorial for the late Sena chief does not mean mere installation of a statue of my father. I would not knock any door for the setting up of a memorial. If it is to happen, it will have to be grand one,” he said.
Uddhav announced that in line with its electoral promise, the Sena’s pet project of telemedicine would be launched in the State in next few days. "Instead of just struggling, I wanted to give Shiv Sainiks an opportunity to serve the people,” he said. Uddhav demanded that Veer Savarkar be conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously for his contribution to the freedom struggle. “His contribution to freedom struggle was second to none. Veer Savarkar richly deserves Bharat Ratna,” the Sena president said.