We haven't changed our stand on Pakistan: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray

Thane: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday alleged that NDA government was repeating the mistake of Congress governments and said he was only expressing people's views through 'Saamana'.

'Saamana', edited by Mr Thackeray, has been critical of Modi government's friendly overtures towards Pakistan. Today's editorial said, referring to Pathankot terror attack, that NDA government was repeating the mistake of Congress governments.

Speaking to reporters in Thane, Mr Thackeray said, "I am saying in my paper what people think."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak the same language on Pakistan which he used to speak before the elections, he said.

Mr Thackeray was speaking to reporters after presiding over a function on the occasion of 'Patrakar Din' (journalist day, observed in Maharashtra to mark the birth anniversary of pioneer Marathi journalist Balshastri Jambhekar) in Thane.

Mr Thackeray, in his speech expressed opposition to the demand of separate Vidarbha state.

Hailing the sacrifices of those who fought for Samyukta Maharashtra prior to 1960, Mr Thackeray said, "After such a struggle, when we hear of proposal to break up the state, it breaks our heart. Why do we need to split the state? We got Mumbai by shedding blood and now you are trying to separate Vidarbha."

Mr Thackeray also said that in the past there were no attacks on journalists, because "journalists were true to their profession and were considered part of the society."

It is high time journalists had a self-imposed code of conduct, so that such attacks didn't happen, Mr Thackeray said.

Being a journalist himself, he was always opposed to attack on the fourth estate, he added.

Veteran journalist Dinoo Randive was felicitated on this occasion with a lifetime achievement award.