'Is This Mumbai Or A Dance Bar': Raj Thackeray Slams Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Over Beautification Drive

Addressing a Gudi Padva rally at Shivaji Park, the MNS chief accused CM Shinde of cosying up to the Centre and snatching employment opportunities from the state.

New Delhi: Launching an attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said instead of just talking about rallies, the government should focus on issues such as farmers’ woes, unemployment, among others.

“I want to tell CM Eknath Shinde, you got the seat, now you must work for Maharashtra. Don't do rallies where Uddhav Thackeray does rallies. There are many important issues in the state - farmers' issues, employment issues and more. Why are you just talking about rallies,” news agency ANI quoted Raj Thackeray as saying.

Addressing a Gudi Padva rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar area of central Mumbai on Wednesday, the MNS chief accused CM Shinde of cosying up to the Centre and snatching employment opportunities from the state.

Drawing a comparison with Chattrapati Shivaji, who used to ‘loot’ from Surat and bring them to Maharashtra, Thackeray said CM Shinde is looting from Maharashtra and taking them to Surat.

Slamming the government on spending Rs 1,700 crore on the beautification of Mumbai, Thackeray said, “Now, everywhere there is beautification happening in Mumbai..on every pole on the road, there are lights...can't understand if it's Mumbai or dance bar.”

He also took a dig at Shiv Sena (faction) leader Uddhav Thackeray and said Uddhav and his people always conspired to remove good leaders from the party that has led to the current political scenario in state. “Ali Baba and his 40 people left the Shiv Sena...I won't call them chor because they are not thieves," Thackeray said.

Talking about the loudspeaker row in Mumbai, Thackeray said the chief minister must take action on the issue at the earliest.

“Last time we said stop these loudspeakers on masjids...also remove the cases on MNS workers slapped by previous govt...either you stop these loudspeakers or ignore what we will do now...I will meet CM for this issue,” he said.

Referring to Muslims, Raj Thackeray said, "I am not a fanatic Hindu...I want people like Javed Akhtar and many more. I want Indian Muslims who speak against Pakistan and tell them our power. Javed Akhtar does that and I want Muslims like him."

He also praised the government for removing illegal structure at Afzal Khan's tomb and issued an ultimatum to remove a 'new' dargah at Mahim Beach.