Uddhav Thackeray also investigated Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP state leaders (file)
Mumbai:
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a multi-faceted attack on the BJP opponent on Tuesday in the state assembly that met for two days in a special session. The Shiv Sena leader, who addressed several sensitive topics, including the issue of the Maratha quota, peppered his speech with stabbing attacks, the sharpest being his response to the BJP’s recent mockery that he, a right-wing leader, was has become secular. The congress-PNC ally, announcing a fund for the preservation of ancient temples, said: “This will make you (the opposition) understand that we have not renounced Hindutva.”
Thackeray said the state government will take care of the restoration and preservation of ancient temples with the aim of “promoting ancient culture and traditions.” He said the project will be carried out in a phased manner and sought the cooperation of the opposition to identify temples for preservation.
In October a bitter exchange broke out between Thackeray and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari about the reopening of places of worship closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. After the governor, in a sarcasm-filled letter, questioned whether he had “become secular”, Uddhav Thackeray replied that he did not need a Hindutva certificate from anyone.
Thackeray also responded today to opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis’ accusation of “Undeclared Emergency” over police action to prevent Maratha quota activists from entering Mumbai. He referred to the recent action by the Directorate of Enforcement against Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik and said: “Asking the ED to go after those who infringe the privilege against their favorite people is political perversity.”
Sarnaik had submitted the privilege violation notifications against television journalist Arnab Goswami and actress Kangana Ranaut to the assembly president’s office in September.
“Pratap (Sarnaik) has been called by the DE. His children have been called by the DE. Their grandson has not yet been born or they too would have been summoned by the DE. They may have said as soon as the grandson is born, bring the child before us, “Thackeray said.
Thackeray also criticized Fadnavis and other state leaders of the BJP, saying they should be in Delhi to deal with protests from farmers.
On the BJP attacks on his government’s Covid response, Thackeray said: “WHO, the Washington Post have praised the work of the Maharashtra government to contain the pandemic in Dharavi. It is sad that you (BJP) cannot see this. “.
Thackeray assured the assembly that the existing CBO quota will remain intact and that attempts to create a social divide by spreading rumors about the inclusion of Marathas in the reserve category will not be tolerated.
“The legal battle to (restore) the Maratha quota is in the final stage. We have not changed the legal team or our position on the Maratha quota. We will win the legal battle,” he said.
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