Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday condemned the Badlapur sexual assault case, calling it a "very unfortunate" incident as he expressed concern over the law and order situation in Maharashtra. As the Maha Vikas Aghadi is staging protests across the state, the MNS chief took a jibe at the opposition saying that such incidents took place even during when the MVA-led government was in power. He also blamed NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar for starting 'caste politics' in Maharashtra.
Addressing a press conference, Thackeray questioned whether the surge in women harassment cases being reported in media was a way to "defame the government" since assembly elections were nearing. Hinting at a political motive behind the increased reportage of women harassment cases of late, he added: "These incidents were happening even during the time of those who called for a bandh (Maha Vikas Aghadi). They are happening even today also. Incidents of women harassment are coming to light one after another in the media, is there any politics behind this? This is being done to defame the government as elections are near."
"The Badalpur case is very unfortunate. Until a strict law is made, these incidents will not stop. How many years did it take for the accused of the Nirbhaya case in Delhi to be punished? What should be done if there is so much delay in a case?" Raj Thackeray said.
The MNS chief also slammed the Nationalist Congress (SP) president Sharad Pawar for "initiating the politics of division in Maharashtra." He claimed that it was Sharad Pawar who started the practice of caste discrimination in the state. "After the NCP was founded, even saints got divided on the basis of caste," Thackeray alleged.
MNS To Contest 200- 225 Seats In Maharashtra Assembly Polls
Talking about the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls, Raj Thackeray said that his party would contest 200 to 225 seats in the elections.
Thackeray also claimed that the MVA will not get anti-incumbency votes in the assembly polls. "A huge portion of Dalits and Muslims voted against the BJP. These votes against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah went to Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and the Congress. These were not votes for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. This wave is now gone," he said
Elections in Maharashtra are slated to be held later this year to elect the 299 members of the state legislative assembly. The elections have been pushed a bit further since the Election Commission has decided to first conduct polls in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.
The tenure of the current legislative assembly in Maharashtra is scheduled to end on 26 November.