Uddhav takes jibes at BJP over ‘Mann ki Baat

Thane: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann ki Baat” programme saying the party (BJP) needs to understand what is in people’s mind.

Addressing an election rally in Kalyan where Shiv Sena and BJP are contesting the municipal elections separately, Uddhav said that “instead of telling your ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to people, the party (BJP) needs to understand what is in the minds of the public”.

Modi has been airing his views through this programme aired by All India Radio on specific Sundays.

Uddhav further said ‘smart cities’ being projected by BJP is nothing but an “empty promise.”

BJP and Sena, ruling alliance partners in Maharashtra, are at loggerheads with each other over several issues including sports and cultural ties with Pakistan.

He alleged the party (BJP) had done nothing for Kalyan Dombivili towns and claimed it was Sena that has done a lot for these towns.

The Sena chief asked Shiv Sainiks to project work done by Sena and seek mandate of voters for it to return to power in the civic body.

Making a reference to the reported ‘havan’ being carried out by BJP in Dombivili for its victory, he said Shiv Sena never needs any such act or never approaches ‘mantrik’ or ‘tantric’ (faith healers) for such things.

“If Modi installs a huge memorial of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in Gujarat, then what is wrong if we (Sena) install the memorial for Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) and Tilak (Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak) here (in the state)?” he said.

He asked the Sainiks not to answer the criticisms of others and instead project good work done by it.

Voting for Kalyan-Dombivili in Thane district will take place on November 1.