Responding to Raj Thackeray’s remark that Devendra Fadnavis achieved what Balasaheb Thackeray could not, Darekar said it should be taken positively.He sought to know how many Marathi builders benefited when the Thackerays were in power.Darekar also highlighted the BJP’s efforts to promote Marathi language.”It was Fadnavis who constantly followed up with the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who granted the status of classical language to Marathi. It should not be forgotten,” he said.On Uddhav’s allegation that BJP discards its allies after using them, Darekar countered saying it was the Sena (UBT) chief himself who abandoned his own leaders.”We allowed the (undivided) Shiv Sena to have its mayor in BMC despite the BJP being just a few seats short. But it was Uddhav Thackeray who exercised use-and-throw policy with Sena leaders like Narayan Rane, Chhagan Bhujbal, Ramdas Kadam, Ganesh Naik and even Raj Thackeray,” he said.Commenting on Uddhav’s newfound partnership with Raj, the BJP MLC said it was driven purely by political needs.”He never gave Raj importance in the party. But now, in order to save his own position, he is trying to bring him back,” he said.While acknowledging the right to protest, Darekar warned that such movements must not lead to division.”Under the garb of protest, if there is an attempt to create division based on language, caste or religion, it should be avoided,” he said.On Friday, state minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane had dubbed the joint rally as a “jihadi and anti-Hindu gathering” aimed at dividing society and weakening the state.Senior BJP leader and former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, however, struck a conciliatory note.”If Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are coming together, it’s a good thing. They have our best wishes. The two brothers should unite and stay united. If necessary, both parties should even consider merging,” he said.
Source link
