Mumbai: Although he did not specify much, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday lent moral and political support to his son Yuva Sena president Aditya Thackerays opposition to the Metro 3 car shed at Aarey Milk Colony. Speaking to newspersons here, he merely remarked “wasn’t a similar press meet called for Nanar also? What happened in Nanar case will happen in Aarey case as well”. Critics are already speculating whether this could be one of the reason for the break-up of the alliance between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
So far the Sena has raised its red-flag in the 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant project in 2014 or the Saudi Armaco led mega Nanar oil refinery project in 2018. It may be recalled that last year it had announced the cancellation of the land acquisition process for the Nanar project. Both these projects were billed as the pet projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Metro 3 Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ line has been vigorously pursued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Although records show that the project was given impetus by former Congress chief minister late Vilasrao Deshmukh in August 2010.
When asked to comment upon Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar’s recent remarks about hospitality being accorded to him while visiting Pakistan, the Sena chief while stopping shy of making any critical comment pointed out that the NCP had been ousted from power after what they did in the last elections. Referring to the nuclear threat from Imran Khan, Thackeray while referring to the Balakot air strike, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a limited dose last time. This time we need to increase that dose, added the Sena president.
Replying to questions over the Ram Mandir issue, Thackeray remarked that after the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya, it was late Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray who came forward to take credit for it. He added that just like the Center took a firm bold decision in abrogating Article 370, the Center also needs to take a firm decision over the Ram Mandir issue. He added that the Sena has been aggressive over the issue. Replying to queries over the alleged criticism of Udayan Raje Bhosale in yesterdays party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray clarified that the remarks were in no way meant to cause any insult to Udayan Raje Bhosale and added that the Sena has merely spelt out its expectations from the royal.
