Shiv Sena alleges systematic plan to disparage Mumbai as part of larger conspiracy

Calls Thackeray as the first brand of Maharashtra

@the_news_21

Mumbai: An embattled Shiv Sena on Sunday alleged that a systematic plan is in place to disparage Mumbai and alleged that tarnishing the image of the financial capital is part of a “larger conspiracy”.

Shiv Sena’s senior leader and executive editor of ‘Saamana‘ in his weekly column ‘Rokhthok‘ outlined his party’s stand on the ongoing faceoff with actress Kangana Ranaut and also over the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and a subsequent probe by the CBI in the case.

Launching an all-out attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, he questioned who are those people who are standing behind an actress who calls Mumbai as Pakistan and an editor of a news channel who uses words which are deemed inappropriate against a chief minister?  

“In this difficult circumstance, a time has come for all Marathi speakers to unite. Nefarious attempts are being made to tarnish the image of Mumbai. Some “outsiders” are responsible for this conspiracy.” Raut alleged.

He said those who call Mumbai as Pakistan and BMC as Babar, the BJP stands firmly behind them. “It is very unfortunate,” he added.

Also Read: Government committee to Maratha reservation; assures CM Uddhav Thackeray

Reminiscing the conspiracy to a similar one that was hatched some 60-65 years ago by Congress (during the Samyukt Maharashtra Movement), he said, that time too, Mumbaikars thrashed their motives and hoisted the flag of Samyukt Maharashtra.

Taking a strong exception to the questions raised by BJP leader Adv. Ashish Shelar as to why Shiv Sena joined hands with a party which had once fired bullets on the Marathi speakers, Raut rebutted it by saying that the BJP leaders have weak knowledge of history.

“Morarji Desai was the Chief Minister (of Bombay province) then and he had ordered to fire upon the demonstrators (part of the Samyukt Maharashtra movement),” he added.

It was because of his orders, when on one side Marathi speakers sacrificed their lives, similarly in Gujarat too 16 locals were killed.

Raut said that history also goes on to mention the fact that he severed ties with Congress later. Further, Desai became the Prime Minister of the country and in his cabinet, there were stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and other leaders of the Jan Sangh as well, Raut pointed, adding that history always has its darker side.

“When Congress’ Morarji Desai ordered to shoot against the Marathi speakers that time by condemning the incident Chintamanrao Deshmukh, then Finance Minister of the country resigned from the post. Besides, there were several Congress supporters who had overwhelmingly participated in the Samyukt Maharashtra Movement,” he said.

Equating the incident to the present circumstance, he said when the image of Mumbai was tarnished, no single Marathi leader in Delhi (Union Government) felt bad, let alone they tendered their resignation.

“One should stop mudslinging on Mumbai. Let there be anybody in power in Maharashtra or Centre there is an unknown power which hatches conspiracy against Mumbai,” he alleged.

Raut said that Marathi pride is being pulverized. “Some are belittling Marathi speakers as they feel that by giving less importance to Mumbai and its pride, Maharashtra will automatically be destroyed,” he added. However, he said that nature itself has intertwined Mumbai with Maharashtra which makes it inseparable.

Thackeray first brand, Pawar second brand of Maharashtra

Thackeray is the brand of Maharashtra’s self-esteem, and the second brand is “Pawar”.

The conspirators have been exposed to their ulterior motive to destroy these brands and take control over Mumbai.

Extend olive branch of Raj Thackeray

Raj Thackeray is also an element of brand Thackeray and this conspiracy hatched by Opposition will affect (political prospects) him as well in future. He would be having differences with Shiv Sena but in Maharashtra “Thackeray” brand should continue as well. The day brand Thackeray is destroyed, Mumbai’s destruction will also start soon.

Mumbai gives bread & butter to migrants

Millions of migrants living in Mumbai went to their natives when the lockdown was imposed. Many of them have returned after the easing of restrictions. Mumbai gives them their daily bread and butter, he said. The migrants have expressed gratitude towards Mumbai. Mumbai is the safest city for them. The contribution of labourers in the growth of Mumbai is huge, he said.  

He said, Mumbai originally belongs to the Koli (fishermen community), Agri, Prabhu and Pathare, but the wealthy people residing in Mumbai thought they made the city prosperous and that arrogance was first thrashed by Shiv Sena. As a reason, Delhi always had scorn for Mumbai. The one who speaks against Mumbai is always a “favourite darling” of Delhi, he said.

The Sena MP further says that it is absurd on the part of the BJP to stand behind an actress who calls Mumbai as Pakistan. “By coming out in support of Sushant and Kangana, BJP wants to win the assembly election in Bihar. The entire game plan is to win over the upper caste votes of Rajput and Kshatriyas at the cost of tarnishing the image of Mumbai. This does not suit those who call themselves as nationalists,” he slammed.