Mumbai: With the Shiv Sena deciding to stay away from the Bharat bandh against the rising fuel prices, Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) flexed its muscles on city roads, taking a lead over the Congress.
The party chief in his message to Delhi said the people there saw the power of the MNS. “Today’s agitation was not about political alliance, but about the issue. I firmly believe that all opposition parties must come together to defeat Narendra Modi.”
MNS activists were seen protesting across the city, especially in Dadar, Malad and Thane. “The government is slapping cases for protesting under sections which are truly draconian. They must remember that tomorrow they might be in Opposition,” Mr. Thackeray said.
While congratulating his party workers saying his activists represented the people’s anger against the government, Mr. Thackeray compared the Sena with Cocker Spaniels. “The Sena has no position of its own. They are like Cocker Spaniels. Nobody knows where they are looking. They work only for money. When they lack money, they threaten to leave the government. When they get money, they calm down. The Sena has no clue on what to do,” he said.
While Sena mouthpiece Saamana continues to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over fuel price hike, party chief Uddhav Thackeray was seen sharing stage with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a programme in Siddhivinayak temple on Monday. When asked about the decision to not protest, the Sena chief maintained silence, gesturing a finger on his lips.
Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut rejected the reports linking the Sena’s backdown to a phone call made by BJP chief Amit Shah to Mr. Thackeray. “Had parties spoken to us before announcing the bandh, we would have responded. The Congress has made the mistake of conducting the protest during Ganesh festival,” Mr. Raut said.
The Congress slammed the Sena, claiming its real face is out in the open. “The Sena has lost its pride for the sake of power. Social media is making fun of the party saying, tiger (Sena) is not roaring but barking. They should stop the lip service by erecting banners. They are in the government and must find a way-out,” party’s State president Ashok Chavan said.