MNS Chief Raj Thackeray calls for 'Modi-mukt Bharat' by 2019
What's the story
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government and called for unity of Opposition parties and also a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019.
Addressing party workers at a rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai, Thackeray said, "The country is fed up with the false promises made by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his government."
Modi-mukt Bharat
India can get third independence after becoming Modi-mukt: Thackeray
All opposition parties should come together to get rid of the BJP-led NDA government to ensure a "Modi-mukt Bharat", he said, while reminding the audience of the BJP's "Congress-mukt Bharat" slogan.
"India got its first independence in 1947, second in 1977 (after the post-Emergency election), and 2019 can bring a third independence if India becomes Modi-mukt," the MNS chief said.
Modi government
Modi government might turn out to be the biggest scam
Thackeray said, "If the Modi government was ousted and an inquiry was ordered into demonetization, it might turn out to be the biggest scam in the country since 1947."
Citing an ISRO report, he spoke of the large-scale desertification of Maharashtra due to the depletion of groundwater.
Thackeray also questioned state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's claim of digging of 56,000 wells in the state.
Ram Temple
In favor of building Ram temple in Ayodhya: Thackeray
The MNS chief said he was in favor of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya, "but it should not be used as an election plank to divide the society and win votes."
"The Babri Masjid demolition case is in the Supreme Court, and it will be deliberately discussed in the coming days to instigate communal riots," Thackeray claimed.
Details
Modi's foreign visits didn't fetch any investments: MNS Chief
Taking a dig at Modi's foreign tours, Thackeray said the Prime Minister was apparently visiting those countries to get "flour for pakoda" as the visits had not fetched any investments.
Taking potshots at Fadnavis, who recently featured in a video song about river conservation, the MNS chief said, "There are so many problems in the state, but apparently the CM is busy singing songs."
Sridevi's funeral
Thackeray questions government's decision to accord Sridevi's state funeral
Thackeray also questioned the government's decision to accord a state funeral to Bollywood actor Sridevi last month.
"Sridevi was a great actor, but what did she do for the country that her body was wrapped in the tricolor?" he asked.
The media might have covered her funeral extensively at the government's behest to divert the people's attention from the Nirav Modi-PNB scam, he said.