Thank CJI for not giving ‘next date’ to Bappa: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the residence of Chief Justice of India, and said he thanks the CJI for not giving a "next date" to Ganapati Bappa because Modi was to visit his residence.

Thackeray, addressing a public rally at Vaijapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Sunday, said: "We all know that the PM visited the CJI's residence, and the latter drew a lot of criticism from across the country over the visit. However, I would like to thank the CJI for not giving a ‘next date' to Ganapati Bappa because PM Modi was coming to his home."

"We are seeking justice from the court not just as Shiv Sena, but through the party, we are seeking to know whether democracy will survive in this country," he added.

"We have faith in the judiciary, but if justice is not given in time, we have a bigger court of people to go to... and we want justice from people," Thackeray said. He also dismissed the ruling Mahayuti alliance's criticism that the MVA govt denied funds to the Marathwada water grid project and insisted that MVA had released Rs1,100 crore for the project.

Thackeray's comment came in the context of Sena (UBT)'s petition — against Maharashtra assembly speaker's order declaring the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the "real Shiv Sena" and refusing disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs who rebelled against Thackeray — that has been pending before the Supreme Court for two years now. The UBT then lost the party's ‘dhanush-baan' (bow and arrow) symbol to the Shinde faction and got ‘mashaal' (burning torch) symbol.

"Last time, we did not get adequate time to campaign with ‘mashaal' symbol. However, this time, we must take this symbol to each home as the traitors will return with ‘Dhanush-Baan' to seek votes during the assembly elections. I have no idea how far it is appropriate now to expect that the court's result will come before the polls," Thackeray said.

Meanwhile, amid criticism from ruling party politicians that MVA govt kept the ambitious multi-crore water grid project for Marathwada fund-starved, Thackeray claimed govt released Rs 1,100 crore during his tenure as CM.

"They (opponents) are shouting that Thackeray govt did nothing. I released Rs 1,100 crore," he said.

Thackeray, in his address, also criticised state govt on different fronts including the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin' scheme that offers a monthly financial aid of Rs 1,500 to the women beneficiaries. "The sum of Rs 1,500 is a paltry amount and many women have doubts about how to run their homes using this money. Govt is giving people their own money back, but is taking undue credit for it," he said.

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