Sena attacks BJP over Rafale, says 'govt gives no hike to soldiers but does scam in arms deal'

Attacking the government, the Shiv Sena chief said "the questions regarding the alleged scam in Rafale Deal still remain unanswered, then how did the court give a clean chit?"

Uddhav Thackeray addresses media (ANI)

New Delhi: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janta Party on Monday while addressing a gathering in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, over a number of issues including Ram Temple and the alleged scam in Rafale Deal. Raising question over the clean chit given to the government in the Rafale probe, the Shiv Sena chief said the ‘questions regarding the alleged scam in Rafale Deal still remain unanswered, then how did the court give a clean-chit?’ “A company which had no experience was given a contract,” he said. He said that at a time when soldiers need a pay-hike, the government does scams in the purchase of arms and ammunition.  “Soldiers of our country need a pay hike which you don't give, but you do scams in purchase of arms and ammunition”, news agency ANI quoted him as saying. Thackeray also slammed BJP for apparent failure to deliver on its promises of Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said he will not leave the Ram Temple issue until the promise is fulfilled. “Have forgiven BJP for the Jumlas on Acche Din and on sending Rs.15 lakh in people’s account, but will never tolerate a Jumla on the name of Lord Ram.” "It's been 30 years and still you say that matter is in court. Hindus are innocent but not fools. Let there be a discussion in Parliament on the Ram temple issue, who are in your favour on this issue among NDA will be clear," he was quoted by the agency as saying. Thackeray also said that his party Shiv Sena is not interested in alliance with BJP till decisions are taken on Ram Temple, farm loan waiver and crop-insurance. In an apparent warning to the saffron party, Uddhav said he has now set his eyes on Varanasi after Ayodhya. He said: “After Ayodhya, I may visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.” Thackeray addressed a congregation of religious leaders in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra with the catch-phrase "Pahele Mandir, Phir Sarkar" ((Ram) temple, then Government). The Sena has asked all its 227 Shakhas (local offices) in Mumbai and its units elsewhere to mobilize crowds for the rally. It is part of the Sena's strategy to promote Thackeray as a true Hindutva leader, he added. Thackeray had last month addressed a `Dharma Sabha' of religious leaders in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.