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Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday, 18 October, ruled out alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
While addresing the party’s annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena supremo spelled out the party’s poll plan while addressing cadres at the party's annual Dussehra rally.
Thackeray also hit out at the BJP over the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya and announced his plans of visiting the city on 25 November to lay the foundation stone of the temple.
Addressing the rally, Uddhav Thackeray said that the Shiv Sena supports the women who spoke up in the ongoing #MeToo campaign.
“Our party stands with all the women who spoke out against sexual harassment and abuse,” he said.
He also said if an accused is found guilty, he should be hanged, and asked women to take action immediately by slapping the culprits.
While raking up the issue of the rising prices of petrol and diesel and the depreciation of rupee against dollar, Thackeray said, “The government doesn’t care about the public, it just cares about itself. People will teach the government a lesson.”
He further pointed out that the 2014 wave that the BJP rode is no longer present. “It doesn’t take a 56-inch chest to do good work. All it takes is courage and strength,” he added.
While announcing his decision to visit Ayodhya on 25 November, Uddhav Thackeray demanded that the BJP clarify its stand on the Ram Mandir issue. Thackeray said, “The BJP should clarify to the public whether the Ram Mandir promise is a jumla. If it is one, then the Shiv Sena will look into it.”
Thackeray further challenged the BJP and said, “If you can’t build Ram mandir, then I don’t think this can be called the NDA govt. There must be some problem in the govt’s DNA in that case.”
While stating that he was going to Ayodhya to remind the BJP about the Ram Mandir issue once again, the Shiv Sena Chief said, “Even after that you can’t remember about Ram mandir, then we will bring all Hindus together and build Ram mandir”
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray makes it clear that the Shiv Sena will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own. Thackeray said, “The media is reporting that we will opt for an alliance but we will contest these elections on our own.” Thus, ruling out an alliance with the BJP.
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray takes the stage, begins addressing party workers in the annual Dussehra rally.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray reach the rally venue and offer their respects to late party supremo Balasaheb Thackeray’s memorial.
The Shiv Sena Chief performed Shastra Pujan as party members cheered on.
While addressing party workers, Sanjay Raut said that Shiv Sena will contest the elections alone. Thus, ruling out an alliance with the BJP.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut takes a dig at CM Devendra Fadnavis over an earlier comment that the Chief Minister had made stating that the BJP would return to power in Maharashtra. Raut said, “Fadnavis should make it clear that when he said he would return as the next CM, which state would that be for? Because a Shiv Sena leader will become the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra and that too with a clear majority.
Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai hits out at the state BJP government, demands answers on the Rafale deal. Subhash Desai says, “BJP will remain haunted by the ghost of Rafale”.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut further attacked the BJP Govt by stating that, “Under Congress rule, a chaiwala became the Prime Minister but under PM Modi’s rule, engineers are being forced to sell Pakodas.”
Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally begins as Top Shiv Sena leaders like Manohar Joshi, Ramdas Kadam, Sanjay Raut, Diwakar Raote and Subhash Desai reach Shivaji Park.
Ahead of Uddhav Thackeray’s speech, Sena leaders and party workers voice their opinion on an alliance with BJP. Say, the Shiv Sena is better off without an alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Shiv Sena workers were seen marching towards the venue where Uddhav Thackeray is expected to address the party.
Over two lakh Shiv Sena leaders and workers are expected to gather at Shivaji Park for the rally at around 6 pm. The rally will kick off with speeches made by senior Shiv Sena leaders. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to arrive at the venue at 6:45 pm and deliver a speech soon after.
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Published: 18 Oct 2018,02:56 PM IST