Pune: Former chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a sharp attack on BJP, saying the party lacked the capability to govern both at the Centre and in the state. He also took a swipe at CM Devendra Fadnavis, saying despite enjoying a significant majority, he appeared powerless in tackling corruption.“India has always been like a heaven, but BJP is turning it into hell by enforcing dictatorship,” Thackeray said during a ‘Meet the Press’ event organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ). “The party is sowing division among communities and has proven itself incapable of governing both at the Centre and in the state. The ongoing crises in Manipur and Kashmir are glaring examples of its failure,” he said.Thackeray also strongly condemned the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). “The Centre must clarify what wrongdoing led to Wangchuk’s arrest and justify the use of such a stringent law against him. If Wangchuk is being held accountable, the govt must also explain who is responsible for the situation in Manipur,” the former CM said.Responding to BJP’s criticism that Sena (UBT) abandoned Hindutva ideology by joining hands with Congress, Thackeray said, “We do not need to get a Hindutva certificate from BJP. The party is criticising us for being in alliance with Congress, but it should clarify if Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar also follow Hindutva ideology with whom it has joined hands to form the govt in the Centre. In Pahalgam, the terrorists fired bullets asking the victims’ religion. What did BJP do about it?”The UBT chief said, “Thackeray is a brand, which has been running for several generations. My grandfather was a well-known reformist. Our Hindutva has always been a progressive one.”Accusing CM Fadnavis of not providing any relief to farmers facing huge damages owing to floods, he said: “When I was the CM, I waived farm loans. But till now, the present CM has failed to provide any relief to the farming community.”Thackeray said he did not consider anybody as an enemy, not even the Prime Minister. “But, looking at the lack of governance in the state, the CM looks quite helpless in controlling corrupt individuals,” he added.Don’t want to respond to traitors: Uddhav on Kadam’s allegationsAfter Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena member Ramdas Kadam alleged that the Thackeray family kept the body of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray at Matoshree two days after his demise, Thackeray said, “I do not want to respond to the traitors. Entire Maharashtra knows the value of the Thackeray brand. It was visible during the Dasara rally at Shivaji Park, where despite heavy rainfall, Shiv Sainiks responded overwhelmingly.”
