BJP said those facing graft charges will be jailed, but they were inducted in cabinet: Raj Thackeray

Mumbai, Jan 30 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, stating the party once said the leaders involved in a multi-crore scam would be put behind bars, but they were instead inducted into the state cabinet.

Speaking at an MNS gathering here, he also expressed doubt over the outcome of the last year’s Maharashtra assembly elections, and asked how Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 42 seats just months after it bagged only one seat in the Lok Sabha polls.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that those involved in a Rs 70,000 crore scam would be put behind bars. But where did they put them? In the cabinet,” Thackeray said.

He was referring to PM Modi’s speech made in 2023 in Madhya Pradesh, where he raised the issue of alleged irrigation scam in Maharashtra. The BJP targeted Ajit Pawar, who was then the leader of opposition, for his alleged involvement in the scam. However, Pawar later joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in the state and was made deputy chief minister in July 2023.

Thackeray said the BJP once accused many leaders of indulging in corruption, but later joined hands with them and made them chief ministers and ministers.

He referred to the induction of West Bengal leader Mukul Roy into the BJP (before his return to TMC), B S Yediyurappa’s rejoining of BJP in Karnataka, and the party’s alliances with leaders like Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

In Maharashtra, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Harshvardhan Patil and Narayan Rane, who were once with the Congress, later joined the BJP, Thackeray said.

“BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had made allegations against several leaders, but now these very people are in the cabinet,” he said.

On the criticism over his frequent meetings with BJP leaders, Thackeray said, “Many say I should not meet BJP leaders…I meet people, but I do not sell myself. My Marathi identity remains intact.”

Talking about the outcome of the Maharashtra assembly elections, where the Mahayuti alliance secured a thumping victory while the MNS and opposition parties suffered setbacks, he said he remained silent for some time as he was analysing the results.

“On the day of the results, there was an unusual silence across Maharashtra. The kind of celebrations that should have happened did not take place. Even some people from the RSS I spoke to were surprised. One of them jokingly asked me – ‘Why is there so much silence? Someone must have won, right?’ So what did that silence indicate?” he said.

He asked how Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 42 seats in the assembly polls, while Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) won only 10.

“Congress secured the most Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) won 8 seats in the parliamentary polls, but managed to win only 10 assembly seats. On the other hand, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP had won only one Lok Sabha seat, but bagged 42 assembly seats. How is that possible?” he wondered.

Thackeray also cast doubt over certain election results. “MNS had fielded sitting MLA Raju Patil from Kalyan Rural constituency in Thane district. There are around 1,400 voters in Patil’s village, he has always received votes from there. But this time, he did not get even a single vote. How is that possible?” he sought to know.

Speaking about allegations against him that he frequently changes his political stand, Thackeray said, “People say I change my stand, but do they even understand what that means? Look at how others have changed sides for their own benefit. The current cabinet mostly comprises leaders who were earlier with Shiv Sena and Congress. They will not be questioned, but you will keep hearing that Raj Thackeray changes his stance.”

He also hinted at making internal changes in the MNS, saying a new code of conduct would be introduced to instill discipline – right from the top leadership to grassroots workers.

Encouraging his supporters not to get discouraged, he said, “I have seen many victories and defeats. But I have never been disheartened by a defeat or got carried away by a victory. I do not want to lead people who are demoralised. If you want to stand with me, then stand strong. Whatever we have to do for Maharashtra and Marathi people, we will do it. If not today, then tomorrow, but it will definitely happen. That is certain.”

On the controversy surrounding a scene in an upcoming film “Chhava”, in which Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is seen playing ‘lezim’, Thackeray said the film’s director, Laxman Utekar, recently met him to discuss the issue.

“Lezim is Maharashtra’s traditional dance. Sambhaji Maharaj may have picked up a lezim at some point, who knows? Even if it is not in the history books, it could be in our imagination. But I asked the director whether the song in question was crucial to the film’s narrative or just a celebration song. He said it was only to show celebration. So, I asked him if it was necessary to risk the entire film for one song,” he said.

After meeting Thackeray, the film director announced that the lezim dance scene would be dropped from the movie.