NASHIK: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief
Uddhav Thackeray
on Sunday said his party is a part of
INDIA bloc
, but will never give up the identity for which it is known.
“The undivided Sena was in alliance with BJP for over 25 years, but we didn’t give up our identity. People criticising us for joining INDIA remember this,” the Sena (UBT) chief said while addressing a rally in Jalgaon, where he unveiled the statues of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel despite objections from BJP.
Thackeray’s statement is being seen as a response to BJP, which had accused him of compromising on the Hindutva ideology by siding with INDIA.
On speculation that the Centre is looking to change the country’s name from India to Bharat, Thackeray said: “India, Bharat, Hindustan are all ours, but we will change the government and Prime Minister in the upcoming elections.”
“BJP may create a Godhra-like situation during the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January next year, just ahead of the polls,” he said.
Thackeray slammed the state government for the lathi-charge in Jalna. “Police cannot take action without orders from the authorities,” he added.
