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Thackeray`s stance on north Indians baffles partymen
Mumbai, June 11: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray`s softening of stance on north Indians has baffled partymen, but seizing the opportunity Congress welcomed it, saying at least the saffron party has realised its folly in `Mee Mumbaikar` campaign against the burgeoning influx into the metropolis.
Mumbai, June 11: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's softening of stance on north Indians has baffled partymen, but seizing the opportunity Congress welcomed it, saying at least the saffron party has realised its folly in "Mee Mumbaikar" campaign against the burgeoning influx into the metropolis.
Thackeray's statement asking people, who have been settled in Mumbai since 1995, to sink their linguistic and ethnic affiliations (especially "uttar bharatiyas") to counter influx into the city has clearly put a question mark on the party's campaign, Sena workers admitted here today.
The Sena chief made the statement at a party function here last night, apparently to blunt the opposition to the party's campaign in view of next year's crucial assembly elections.
However, Congress city unit chief Gurudas Kamat said that "Sena's campaign was wrong, right from the beginning".
Thackeray's statement on north Indians clearly showed that the party has gone on a defensive, he said.
"But we welcome the Sena's new approach towards genuine citizens of the metropolis", the MRCC chief said.
Kamat, who recently took over the reins of the party's city unit and opposed Sena's "Mee Mumbaikar" campaign, blamed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ruled by the saffron combine for lack of civic amenities.
"Mee Mumbaikar" campaign, launched by Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, had drawn flak from various quarters.
But Kamat said "Sena is committing another mistake by asking Mumbai residents to prevent any new entrant into the metropolis".
The Congress leader demanded that Centre should make available Rs 1,500 crore every year for the metropolis.
Kamat said his party was not protecting hutment but only wanted a "humane approach" to deal with the problem.
Bureau Report
The Sena chief made the statement at a party function here last night, apparently to blunt the opposition to the party's campaign in view of next year's crucial assembly elections.
However, Congress city unit chief Gurudas Kamat said that "Sena's campaign was wrong, right from the beginning".
Thackeray's statement on north Indians clearly showed that the party has gone on a defensive, he said.
"But we welcome the Sena's new approach towards genuine citizens of the metropolis", the MRCC chief said.
Kamat, who recently took over the reins of the party's city unit and opposed Sena's "Mee Mumbaikar" campaign, blamed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ruled by the saffron combine for lack of civic amenities.
"Mee Mumbaikar" campaign, launched by Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, had drawn flak from various quarters.
But Kamat said "Sena is committing another mistake by asking Mumbai residents to prevent any new entrant into the metropolis".
The Congress leader demanded that Centre should make available Rs 1,500 crore every year for the metropolis.
Kamat said his party was not protecting hutment but only wanted a "humane approach" to deal with the problem.
Bureau Report