Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday made a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying those who were saved by his party are now trying to finish off the Shiv Sena. However, it will not be easy to destroy the Shiv Sena, he added.
"Many people had come down to Matoshree (Thackeray’s residence) pleading to Balasaheb to save them. But Balasaheb had no idea what they will do in future. Balasaheb and Shiv Sena then had saved them, but now they are trying to finish the Shiv Sena. But it won’t be so easy," said Thackeray said in a function, in which several BJP and VHP leaders joined the Shiv Sena.
The former Maharashtra chief minister's remarks were apparently aimed at the support given by Balasaheb to the then Gujarat CM Modi after the 2002 Godhra riots.
Uddhav had previously claimed that his late father and founder Balasaheb had supported when there was a demand for removing Modi as Gujarat chief minister in the wake of 2002 post-Godhra riots. According to him, Balasaheb then had warned BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani by saying, "Modi gaya to Gujarat gaya (If Modi is gone,Gujarat will also slip out of BJP hands)."
Without naming Modi, Thackeray said the former was reaping the fruits of other's labour. "People like Pramod Mahajan who worked extremely hard (for the BJP) are not there today, but it is some else who are enjoying the benefits of their hardwork," he said.
The Sena UBT chief also alleged that some people are trying to create a rift in the Hindutva forces. "In 1992-93 (riots), Shiv Sena had saved Mumbai. Shiv Sena never discriminated between the Marathi people and outsiders. It was Balasaheb, who taught us to help everyone who is in crisis," he said.
Thackeray also vowed to fight against the efforts to finish the Shiv Sena. "We will keep fighting and those who are trying to finish us, will themselves get finished. We do not treat anyone as an opponent, but they consider us as opponents," he added.
