Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, saying the "fake" Shiv Sena has betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray and the sacrifices of Shiv Sainiks.
Speaking at a rally here at the Shivaji Park ahead of polling in all six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai on May 20, PM Modi said: "For the sake of power, he (Uddhav) sided with those who mocked Ram Mandir. For power, he went along with the people who were partying after the Mumbai attacks. He is sitting on the lap of the Congress which disrespects Veer Savarkar."
The BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) are contesting three seats each against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Congress.
Addressing the well-attended rally, PM Modi appealed to the Mumbaikars to turn out in large numbers and exercise their franchise as every vote will be a vote for him.
PM Modi also dared NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar to tell Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to not disrespect towards Veer Savarkar.
PM Modi also accused the INDIA bloc leaders of "repeatedly insulting the Constitution".
"Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was against reservations on the basis of religion. The Constituent Assembly decided not to give reservations on the basis of religion. But the INDIA bloc is going to give reservations to those doing 'vote jihad' on the basis of religion," PM Modi said.
PM Modi also lashed out at the INDIA bloc for playing appeasement politics for the vote bank, saying "these people caused bloodshed in Mumbai".
"They said the surgical strike was false. The INDIA bloc has betrayed Mumbai... the entire country. Ajmal Kasab terrorised the people of Mumbai, painted this city with blood... but these people are giving him a clean chit," PM Modi said.
PM Modi, who was accompanied by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar among others at the public meeting, accused the erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government of hindering developmental work in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra.
"They stalled a slew of projects including Bullet train, Mumbai Metro, dedicated freight corridor, JNPT container port. Modi has come to give back the rights of Mumbai. Today, the most modern infrastructure in the world is in Mumbai. The city of Mumbai does not just see dreams, it lives with them. In this dream city, I have come up with a dream of 2047. A dream... a resolve to build a Viksit Bharat. Mumbai is going to play a huge role in it. I guarantee that I am going to leave you with a developed India," PM Modi said while speaking at the rally.
"That is why, with the mantra of Modi 24x7 for 2047... every moment in your name, every moment in the name of the country... he is engaged with all his heart and soul," PM Modi said, adding he has a report card of 10 years and a roadmap for the next 25 years.
"On the other hand, you have the INDIA bloc, which has many prime ministerial candidates as there are many parties in the alliance. The country will go bankrupt if you go by the Maoist manifesto of the Congress party. They have an eye on the gold of our temples and 'mangalsutras' of women. They came up with the idea of 'Inheritance Tax'," PM Modi said.
For 60 years, PM Modi said, the Congress claimed to have eradicated poverty from the country.
"They used to talk about eradicating poverty in their speeches. In the last 10 years, we have pulled out crores of people out of poverty. It's the power of your vote that made this feat possible. Today, Article 370 has been abrogated. And those who are nurturing dreams of bringing it back, they should listen carefully - no power in the world can bring back Article 370," PM Modi said, while also slamming the opposition over Ram Mandir issue, saying the government has ensured construction of Ram Temple, bringing an end to years of waiting.
"Record investments are coming, and I guarantee that in a few years, we will become the third-largest economic power in the world," PM Modi said.
He also took a swipe at the Congress, saying: "After Independence, had the Congress been dissolved on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi, India would have been ahead by five decades. The 'Congressisation' of all the systems of the country after Independence destroyed five decades of the country."
Meanwhile, in his speech, Raj Thackeray urged PM Modi to provide a Classical Language status for Marathi after getting a third term, and also include the 125-year rule of Marathas in the History books, complete the delayed Mumbai Goa highway, beautify forts to regain their glory and provide more funds for development of Mumbai.
Farmers income doubled in seven years, claims Tripura Agriculture Minister
Fulfilling the Central and state governments’ target, the monthly income of the farmers in Tripura doubled in seven years, claimed Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Monday.
Two Tripura men arrested by Tamil Nadu police in theft case
In a swift inter-state operation, Tamil Nadu Police on Monday apprehended two individuals from Tripura’s Sepahijala district in connection with a gold theft case reported in Chennai.
Ambedkar’s ideas received delayed recognition, claims Tripura CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said that the chief architect of the Constitution, B. R. Ambedkar’s ideas received recognition much later than deserved, but the BJP government is committed to follow the path he showed, especially for the upliftment of the backward and poor.
Govt to sell 6,000 Kgs of fish at subsidized rates on Poila Boishakh
In celebration of Poila Boishakh, the Fisheries Department has announced plans to sell approximately 6,000 kilograms of fish across the state at subsidized rates on Tuesday.
No ex-govts thought about Janajati welfare, development happening now, says Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that ambitious projects and schemes worth Rs 1,400 crore, funded by the World Bank, are currently underway in the state to improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous tribes, adding that previously, no government thought about their welfare.
With DoNER ministry's aid, cultural hub to be set up in Tripura: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that a cultural hub would be built in the state with the financial assistance of the Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry, and Rs 32.5 crore has been allocated for it.
Chief Minister reviews development projects in Dhalai District
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha chaired a comprehensive review meeting today at the Manu Government Dak Bungalow to assess the progress of various development initiatives underway in Dhalai district.