MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday slammed the BJP and RSS for “creating” a controversy over the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Mr Thackeray alleged that the BJP and RSS were hand in glove with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and the whole controversy was a well-designed plan to create a controversy out of nothing.
Questioning the BJP’s patriotism, Mr Thackeray asked why it had joined hands with the PDP, which supports Afzal Guru, in Kashmir. The MNS chief did not even spare Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he once admired, and said he could not trust anymore. He also criticised the BJP for going “the Congress way”.
In a rally on Gudi Padwa at Shivaji Park, which was the first big rally after his party’s drubbing in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls two years ago, Mr Thackeray said, “Now RSS has started giving certificates of nationalism. You have to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. We feel proud about Bharat Mata, but do not chant it every now and then. Who says it often When was the last time you chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai ’” he asked the masses. The MNS chief asked why the BJP had not termed people who were corrupt and dishonest with the public as anti-national. “Do not teach us nationalism. Mr Modi, tell us why you formed a government in Kashmir with the PDP when the latter supports Afzal Guru Why are you being dishonest ”
Mr Thackeray, who had extended his support to Mr Modi for the PM’s post, claimed that he was disillusioned with the leader. “Yes, I had supported him after seeing his work in Gujarat. But he has changed after becoming the PM. You are doing the same things that Congress did,” he said.
He said though the BJP had come to power making anti-Pakistan statements, it was now extending a hand of friendship to the country. “Modi is seen cutting neighbouring Prime Minister’s birthday cake,” he said. Mr Thackeray also criticised Mr Owaisi over the nationalism row. “The two Owaisis are financed by the BJP. They refuse to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. This provokes Hindus who do not realise that they (the Owaisis) are actually working for the BJP. They get all their funding from the BJP,” he claimed.
He also slammed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for “diverting attention” from real issues in the state. “Mr Fadnavis said he would continue to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ even if he is removed from the post of CM. But who is removing him And who has told him not to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai ’ Nobody. These are tactics used to divert attention from the real questions... He has no opinion on anything. You (Fadnavis) praise the Jalyukta Shivar scheme and claim to have built 33,000 wells. Chief minister, show us the wells,” he said.
Mr Thackeray also warned the BJP and RSS against supporting the division of the state.
