After Pradhan, Gadkari Could Be Next, Says Uddhav
Uddhav Thackeray hailed the nationwide student protests as a turning point against the BJP and hinted that Union minister Nitin Gadkari could be the opposition's next political target.
Describing the youths’ protests over the exam paper leaks as a ‘golden chapter,’ Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that it has marked a larger fight against the BJP. He also hinted that the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari could be the next target of the opposition parties after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
Referring to Pradhan’s resignation, Uddhav said it showed that “a cockroach has defeated the Dictator.”
“Deshbhakts (true patriots) have defeated andhbhakts (blind followers),” Uddhav said in a massive rally held at Shivaji Park to celebrate the resignation of Pradhan in the wake of nationwide student protests against the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
“I congratulate the country’s youth for uniting against injustice, setting aside caste and religion. The fact that the nation’s youth has awakened today offers hope for the future.”
“People ask us why we are talking about elections when they are still three years away. The answer is simple: Modi has now realised that votes can be stolen, but not people,” he said.
The protests have caused a spark, which has spread like a wildfire across the country. People ask us why we are talking about elections when they are still three years away. The answer is simple, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has now realised that votes can be stolen, but not the people, he added.
Alleging that union ministers were busy ‘breaking political parties’ instead of governing the country, Uddhav said, “I want to tell Prime Minister Modi that it is time to focus on the country. Your ministers are busy breaking political parties. Tell them to start working for the nation.”
Uddhav referred to Gadkari as the ‘pothole minister’ and hinted that the union minister could be the next target of the opposition parties after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Gadkari is talking about ethanol and he could definitely be the next issue, he said.
Gadkari is advocating the implementation of E20 ethanol-blended petrol as part of energy security strategy. However, concerns have been raised over mileage, engine compatibility, maintenance expenses and long-term vehicle performance after the introduction of higher ethanol blends.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who also addressed the rally, said the success of students' protest proved Gen Z can challenge the government. “Today is the day to celebrate the victory of this agitation. Gen Z has shown how to make the government bend," Raj Thackeray said.
