Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday dismissed possibility of any rift within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government over the recent remarks by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Veer Savarkar.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology from Mr. Gandhi and said at a press conference in Nagpur, “Only a person who does not understand the history of the freedom struggle will disrespect Savarkar.”
Mr. Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena had “lost it’s spine” as it continued to ally with the Congress. Though the Sena is a firm supporter of Savarkar, it was only issuing half-hearted statements so that the alliance could remain in power.
“We cannot sit alongside those who disrespect Swatantryaveer Savarkar,” said Mr. Fadnavis. The BJP was boycotting the customary high tea organised by the ruling government on the eve of the Assembly session, he said.
Asked whether the BJP would move a motion in the Assembly condemning Mr. Gandhi’s remarks, Mr. Fadnavis said the party would do everything necessary. “Rahul Gandhi must apologise,” he reiterated.
‘We remain united’
At his press conference later in the day Mr. Thackeray said, “We are different as a party and have different ideologies. It has been so in the past and may even remain. But this government is formed on the Common Minimum Program (CMP) and we are united as a government. Our party has already reiterated the position on Savarkar and we stick to that,” he said.
“The BJP should tell whether it follows Savarkar’s ideology. It passed a Citizenship (Amendment) Act which is actually making minorities insecure. Would Savarkar have liked that?” asked Mr. Thackeray.
Asked whether Maharashtra would implement the new law, Mr. Thackeray said, “We have heard that some people have approached the Supreme Court. Let the court decide whether this Act is constitutional. We will announce our position after the court verdict.”
