Mumbai: In a sharp attack on the Shiv Sena — the main opponent of the BJP in the Palghar Lok Sabha by-poll — Yogi Adityanath has said that the Sena has no right to take Chhatrapati Shivaji’s name as they “acted like Afzal Khan”.
He further said that the late Balasaheb Thackeray’s soul would be restless as Sena had back-stabbed BJP by forcibly inducting the late Chintamani Vanga’s son into the party and fielding him in the by-poll. In his 30-minute speech, Yogi targeted Shiv Sena’s hooliganism and the Bahujan Vikas Party and said people need not fear these people. Starting his speech in Marathi by declaring “Sarva Upasthitanna Majha Namaskaar (my greetings to everyone present here),”
Yogi said that he was glad to visit Palghar. Then warming up to his theme, the UP CM said, “The Late (Balasaheb) Thackeray fought against anti-national elements and he never back-stabbed.” Lambasting the Sena, he added that there should not be any room for those who claim to believe in Shivaji Maharaj but act like Afzal Khan. Stating that PM Modi has made development an all-inclusive agenda, Adityanath claimed that the BJP government alone can usher in prosperity.
Pointing out that riots and kidnapping were a daily occurrence in UP, Adityanath said that all such activity has ceased. Asserting that the Congress is wiped out, Yogi said, “All those who oppose BJP will meet a similar fate. So will those who are opposed to development and good governance.”Underlining the need for cordial relations between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, Adityanath said the goodwill starts from Panchavati, which was Prabhu Ramchandra’s place; and today Ram Naik is Uttar Pradesh’s Governor, who is a bridge between the two states.
Mostly city residents hailing from Uttar Pradesh had gathered to listen to Yogi. They even disrupted BJP candidate Rajendra Gavit’s speech by clamouring, ‘Yogi…Yogi’ on the lines of ‘Modi… Modi’, forcing Gavit to end his speech within a few minutes.
He was addressing a public rally in the Manvel Pada lake area in Virar East. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was among those present on the dais.The outcome of the election depends largely upon the sizeable non-tribal vote in Mira-Bhayandar, Nallasopara, Vasai, Virar and, to an extent, in the reserved Boisar (ST) seat. The semi-tribal area is now home to non-tribals, north Indians, Jains, Muslims, Bengalis, people from Bihar and Maharashtrians.