BJP to hold 'Maafi Maango' andolan in Mumbai on Saturday

MUMBAI: The BJP Mumbai unit too will hold a "Maafi Maango" demonstration across the city on Saturday.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi has already announced its demonstration from Byculla to Azad Maidan to demand the removal of governor B S Koshyari on his statement that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an ideal of a bygone era.
This was followed by controversial statements by MLC Prasad Lad, minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha. The opposition's demonstration is also to protest the Shinde-Fadnavis government's inaction on the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mumbai BJP unit president Ashish Shelar condemned Shiv Sena (UBT)'s attempts to create a controversy over Dr B R Ambedkar's birthplace.
Shelar said Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut has been couriered two books written on the life of Dr B R Ambedkar by BJP MLC Bhai Girkar.
Shelar said he must read both books, one published by the state and the other by BMC. There is an attempt to create a controversy on Ambedkar's birthplace by the Thackeray Shiv Sena. It is deliberate though reasons are unknown, he said.
"Lies are being spread about his birthplace. Tomorrow Saamna (the party's mouthpiece) will also say the Constitution has been written by Uddhav Thackeray and he is responsible for the country's freedom. Ever since the Thackeray faction has allied with the Congress that ensured Ambedkar's defeat in the election the party is trying to create this controversy. These are attempts to rewrite history. It is unacceptable to the BJP and we want to know if this is acceptable to Thackeray," said Shelar.
He pointed out that over the last few days past speeches made by Sena (UBT)'s dy leader Sushma Andhare making fun of Hindu Gods, saints, Varkaris are circulating on social media. He questioned how the Thackeray Sena was tolerating it.
"Is this not against Maharashtra. Insulting Hindu Gods, saints... why is Uddhav Thackeray silent on it. Would they have dared to make fun of gods of other religions. There is discontent amongst the people. Over all these issues the BJP will hold "Maafi Maango" demonstrations across the city. They (MVA) do not have a right to hold demonstrations seeking forgiveness from Uddhav Thackeray, Ajit Pawar, Nana Patole... We shall not stop here and to give an opening to people's discontent we shall hold these demonstrations aggressively," said Shelar.
Shelar said party MLAs, workers will hold black flags and demonstrate.