MUMBAI: CM Uddhav Thackeray on Friday ruled out any future alliance with the BJP and wondered aloud “whether BJP will improve its conduct”, adding no one was bound to anyone. If a one-time alliance partner was doing wrong “then I have to do what’s in the interest of the country and state”, he said. BJP, he alleged, wants to grab power at all levels and added Balasaheb Thackeray had not formed Shiv Sena “for us to wash clothes and utensils”.
“Initially our alliance was based on ideology. Our (Thackerays’) objective was never to grab power. When the alliance (with BJP) happened, Balasaheb said you handle the country and we will look after the state. Now you won the country, you won the state and you also want the municipal corporation,” he said at a Q&A session organised by Loksatta, a Marathi newspaper.
BJP suppressing states as it has power at the Centre: Uddhav
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday accused the BJP of wanting to be in power at all levels and said, “Balasaheb did not set up Sena for us to wash utensils, but to ensure the Marathi manoos can stand proud.”
Thackeray, at a question and answer session, said that a lot of water had flown down the bridge as far as the Shiv Sena’s relationship with the BJP was concerned. “We now realise that the objective with which the (saffron) alliance was forged has been set aside. It is only about acquiring power any which way, and for this even Hindutva is being used. Injustice was done to some Shiv Sainiks as they could not fight elections (when the saffron alliance was in place), yet they stayed with the Sena. Now we need to clear the way for the Sainik,” he said.
The chief minister said that the objective for every party is to come to power on its own. However, the situation in Maharashtra is such that this is not possible. The next best thing is to have a common minimum programme, he said.
Asked if the Centre was throttling the state, Thackeray said that was the experience. “You have won power at the Centre and we have been given an opportunity in the state. We have used it to serve people, our work during the pandemic has been appreciated even by Supreme Court, yet they accuse us of corruption. Expose what you want to expose,” he said.
The BJP, having won over 300 LS seats, had a unique opportunity, “but if they have decided to create only mud then it is their misfortune”, he added.
Thackeray alleged the BJP had “distorted” the country’s politics and from this had arisen the Centre-state conflict. “Just because you are sitting at the Centre, you are suppressing states,” he said.
The CM alleged that there was a conspiracy to defame Maharashtra and “a picture was being portrayed that it was the most rotten part of the country”.
“Central agencies do not seem to have any outfit in states other than Maharashtra and West Bengal. Raid after raid is being conducted. Everyone has their day and times change. Should we not make efforts to bring about change?” he asked.
