BJP's idea of Hindutva is fake: Uddhav Thackeray

Two days after abstaining from trust vote in Lok Sabha, Uddhav Thackeray spoke critically on a host of issues like cow vigilantism, notion of Hindutva and unfulfilled promises of the central government.

In an interview to Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray explained his party's stand of not accepting BJP's request of voting in favour of NDA government during the trust vote on Friday.

Thackeray also made it clear that Shiv Sena will continue to oppose BJP-backed projects including a refinery in Maharashtra's Nanar and the bullet train.


Raising questions over demonetisation and GST, Thackeray alleged that the government at the Centre has not fulfilled expectations of the people.

Addressing the issue of mob lynching in the country, Thackeray said BJP's idea of Hindutva is fake. He criticized 'cow vigilantism' rampant in the country and slammed the Centre for failing to control the same.

Mocking BJP President, Amit Shah, for being called 'Chanakya', he said "Chanakya used his 'niti' for the country, not for political gains of a party."

However, he maintained that the alliance with BJP will not be affected by their decision to abstain from voting during Friday's no-confidence motion.

Targeting the ruling party over the debate on nationalism, Thackeray said that the BJP has no right to decide who is a nationalist and who is anti-national.

Though Thackeray did not reveal if he will continue or pull out of the alliance with BJP but hinted that Shiv Sena will maintain distance from both the opposition and the BJP. He indicated that he will choose to contest alone in the upcoming election.