BJP’s 'Hindutva', foundation stones shaky: Uddhav Thackeray

Sharpening his attack at the BJP, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday (October 25) said the party’s foundation stones have weakened and it doesn’t have any ideology, culture or norms of conduct anymore.

Thackeray was addressing the Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at Savarkar Memorial auditorium in Dadar where he accused the saffron party of a host of things – from having misread ‘Hinduism’ to toppling democratically elected governments, imposing GST to playing politics over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hinting at the exit of allies such as the Shiromani Akali Dal from NDA, and Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse from the party, Thackeray said, these are telltale signs of an impending collapse of the party.

“When your foundation stones weaken, you have no ideology, norms of conduct, culture, nothing. Such a government is not going to last long. I again challenge you (the BJP) to topple our government (in Maharashtra) but first protect your government (in Delhi). Because one day, people will look beyond you and say, ‘give us anyone else, but not you’. This thought has already started,” he said.

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Slamming the central government over its introduction of GST, he said the taxation system has failed and its time the Centre acknowledges it. He also called upon all chief ministers to discuss the issue.

“I feel that the prime minister should accept the lacunae in the GST system honestly, and that it should be amended accordingly. Otherwise, we should revert to the old tax regime that will benefit the states. The country is not the property of one political party,” he said.

He slammed the BJP’s promise to distribute free COVID-19 vaccine in Bihar if it comes to power.

“Is the rest of the country Pakistan or Bangladesh or Kazakhstan? Those who are speaking like this and playing divisive politics should be ashamed of themselves.”

Taking a dig at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, with whom he has been sparring over ‘secularism’ and ‘Hindutva’, Thackeray said the former should  listen to the speech of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to know the true definition of Hindutva.

“Mohan Bhagwat said Hindutva is not only linked to pujas. So people wearing black cap and questioning our beliefs and calling us secular should listen to Bhagwat’s speech today,” he said.

“You are talking about Hindutva. So in Maharashtra, you are putting a ban on beef, but in Goa you are okay with beef. Is this your Hindutva?” Thackeray questioned.

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The meeting was physically attended by a select group of 50 ministers, leaders, MPs and MLAs and was streamed on the Shiv Sena’s social media platforms for cadres.