Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday slammed the ruling BJP for its failure in beautifying, with flowers, Hutatma Chowk —a memorial set up to pay homage to 106 martyrs who laid down their lives for United Maharashtra during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement in the 1950s.
Talking to media persons after paying tributes to the martyrs at the Hutatma Chowk, Raj said: “The previous Congress was much better than the BJP. Earlier, every year, we would get to see the Hutatma Chowk spruced up and decorated with flowers. This year we do not get to even one flower. This is bad. We do not expect this kind of a thing when both the BJP and Shiv Sena are ruling the State”.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP used the day to outshow its alliance partner and launch its election campaign for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) scheduled for early 2017. In what was seen as one-up-manship, the BJP put up scores of its party flags and posters celebrating the Maharashtra day around the Sena Bhavan, the Sena’s party headquarters at Dadar, and other Sena strongholds across the metropolis. Both the Sena and BJP are contesting the forthcoming BMC polls independently.
Meanwhile, after paying tribute to 106 martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement at Hutatma Chowk, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state’s growth would be achieved through the implementation of proper planning of agriculture and irrigation and through development plans.
Talking to media persons after unveiling the replica of Hutatma Chowk erected in front of the statue of Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji near the city international airport, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray said: “We do not mind even if we are to die for the cause, but we will ensure that Maharashtra remains united” He came down heavily on Vidarbha leaders for their renewed clamour for a separate State.