Darekar hits back at Uddhav Thackeray after Dussehra rally, calls him a "timepass" of politics

Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray targeted the Centre and the state government at the Dussehra rally yesterday. He also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. BJP leader Pravin Darekar has now responded to this criticism. Darekar was once a associate of Thackeray and a staunch Shiv Sainik. Speaking to the media, he said Uddhav Thackeray is a "timepass" of politics.

According to Darekar, Thackeray has now become a "Tikoji Rao". He said Thackeray has nothing left except to criticise Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis. Darekar said Fadnavis has made a major contribution as Chief Minister and Thackeray should speak on that. He should also speak on the decision Amit Shah took in the national interest. According to Darekar, Thackeray cannot corner the Centre and the state government on development, so non-issues are being dug out. Darekar described this as a case of "playing Baiji on someone else's strength".

Referring to the Tiger Shroff case and the Purnekar case, Darekar said the Chief Minister has already made clear that anyone involved in these matters will not be spared. Work to catch the attackers is under way, but here only talk is being made, he said. He said that whoever the guilty may be, the government has adopted a stance of taking action. Darekar said legislators have left Thackeray and his Hindutva ideology has also gone. Those who could not manage their own house, what regime will they change, he asked sarcastically.

Manoj Jarange Patil has targeted Eknath Shinde over the Rs 500 crore issue. Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut asked why, when Anil Deshmukh is sent a summons, the ED does not send one to Eknath Shinde, and said the matter should be investigated. Darekar also replied to this claim by Raut. He said Raut knows why Anil Deshmukh had to go when he was Home Minister. Deshmukh had to go because of corruption. However, he does not think anything like what Jarange has alleged would be true. Darekar said Raut is merely making baseless statements.

Sanjay Raut has also alleged that there are members of the Bishnoi gang in the Cabinet. Darekar reacted angrily to this. He said Raut is saying anything, that a breach of privilege motion could come against him because this is an insult to the state government. He also warned that if they wished, they could bring a breach of privilege motion against Raut over this.

Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil had said at the Dussehra rally yesterday that Eknath Shinde would be made Chief Minister next time. Darekar commented on this too. According to him, everyone has the right to say that the leader of their own party should become Chief Minister. But it is wrong to say that only one person should become Chief Minister and the rest should be ruined. Political ambition is fine, but remarks such as "they will be ruined" should not have been made. Darekar also said the question of changing the Chief Minister does not arise anywhere at present. He remarked wryly that one has to win 145 seats to become Chief Minister.