NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray of aligning with the Congress party, an organisation Shah claimed has disrespected both Balasaheb Thackeray and Veer Savarkar.
Shah was speaking at the launch event of BJP’s “Sankalp Patra,” or manifesto, for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections set for November 20.
“I challenge Uddhav Thackeray to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to say two good words about Veer Savarkar. Can any Congress leader honor Balasaheb Thackeray with a few words? The people of Maharashtra deserve to know about those who dream of an alliance government amidst such contradictions,” Shah said.
“I want to tell Uddhav Thackeray that you are sitting with people who oppose Ram Mandir, Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Uniform Civil Code, Waqf board amendments and abuse Savarkar,” he said.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) (comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) of Sharad Pawar) has no credibility, the senior BJP leader said.
Home minister highlighted that the BJP’s manifesto reflected the true aspirations of Maharashtra’s people.
During the speech, Shah also touched on controversial demands for minority reservations. “An organization of Ulemas has demanded reservations for minorities, and the state Congress president Nana Patole acknowledged this. Are the people of Maharashtra in favour of giving their right of reservation meant for the SCs, STs and OBCs to the Muslims. Our constitution does not provide reservations based on religion. However, Congress promised reservations before coming to power, and people should take cognizance of this issue,” he said.
Highlighting the BJP’s track record, Shah pointed out the party’s commitment to fulfilling its pledges, asserting that BJP’s resolutions “are etched in stone.” He criticised the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, labeling its promises as ideologically shallow and catering to appeasement.
Shah also took aim at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, urging him to account for his contributions to Maharashtra during his tenure as a minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
The event to launch BJP’s manifesto in Mumbai saw Shah joined by prominent leaders, including Union minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and BJP’s state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
