On party’s Foundation Day, Uddhav Thackeray criticises Centre’s Agnipath scheme, terms it as a ‘mirage’
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Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Sunday took its fight to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), staking its claim over Hindutva asserting that its late founder, Balasaheb Thackeray was the real ‘Father of Hindutva’. Addressing the partys 56th Foundation Day here party president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray criticised the BJP-ruled Centre’s contentious ‘Agnipath’ scheme terming it as a “mirage”.
In a frontal attack on the BJP, the Sena president said it was futile taking Lord Ram’s name if there were no employment opportunities for the youth.
Chastising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating temples and giving grants to religious establishments while the youth raged against the lack of employment opportunities, Thackeray remarked, “Today, several youths have hit the streets in protest against the ‘Agnipath’ scheme. Why are they so angry? Who provoked them? I have always said that if there is no work in hand then what is the point in only chanting ‘Ram Ram’.”
He stated that one ought to only make promises that one can fulfil, the Sena chief said his party never made hollow promises. “Promises were made (BJP-ruled Centre) that they would give some two crore jobs. But nothing has been given. And now, they suddenly come up with a scheme with grandiose names like ‘Agnipath’ and ‘Agniveer’,” further remarked Thackeray.
Arguing it was “dangerous” that soldiers in the Armed Forces would be hired on a contractual basis, he quipped that if this was the way of the future then henceforward, even governments could be formed on a contract basis.
Thackeray quipped further, “Might as well float a tender announcing that we are seeking a Prime Minister and a Chief Minister. Anyway, the work of the government is for five years after which we seek an extension (election) from the people.”
Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that others ought not to teach ‘Hindutva’ to the Shiv Sena, or worry about the direction the party was taking.
Referring to the International Father’s Day today, he added, “Today is ‘Father’s Day’ and for us, as for all those Hindus in spirit, Bal Thackeray was the ‘Father of Hindutva.’… So, others (BJP) should not presume to give guidance to the Sena regarding Hindutva.”
The Sena chief spokesperson further said that a month ago, the BJP had spoken about Maharashtra going the way of Sri Lanka.
He further remarked, “Instead, today, youth and the unemployed are out on the streets protesting against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme. A State cannot be run only on deceit and treachery. We are not scared of BJP’s misuse of central agencies… The controls of Maharashtra’s government are and will remain with the Sena and Uddhav Thackeray for a long time.”
