Click to play videoMumbai: Just days after Raj Thackeray's tirade against north Indians, the Shiv Sena fearing a takeover of its old agenda, has got back to outsider bashing.
The party’s Executive President, Uddhav Thackeray, had earlier said, “For the 1 lakh jobs to be generated at the airport, the first preference will be given to the sons of the soil – the Marathi manus. All outsiders are secondary."
Uddhav is clearly now singing the same tune as his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray.
Speaking at an Airport Workers and Officers Union rally, Uddhav used the occasion to push the old Sena agenda of the Marathi manus.
"If you (outsiders) make any noises in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena and its people know how to silence you," he threatened.
The Sena mouthpiece Saamna, which had earlier criticised Raj Thackarey for maligning the image of Maharashtrians, now seems to be agreeing with the MNS chief's stand.
In an editorial by the publication’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Raut, the mouthpiece says that letting political leaders of other states get away with violence will belittle the sacrifice of the 105 freedom fighters who fought for a separate state of Maharashtra.
The editorial also says that the party will follow the path shown by Balasaheb Thackeray and fight for Marathi pride at all costs.
Marathi pride is the reason why the party supported Pratibha Patil's candidature for presidency.
The editorial also warned that non-Maharashtrians can stay in the state only if they embrace Maharashtrian culture.
"The Shiv Sena has not changed its agenda since the day Bal Thackeray established it 40 years ago. Our politics are built on the same agenda,” Raut said.
Uddhav Thackeray had recently participated in the Uttar Bharatiya Divas celebrations and the Sena's silence during the riots last week was widely commented upon.
It seems that there is reason enough for the party to claim its role as the sole protector of Marathi asmita.
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