Shiv Sena chief Thackeray terms Rafale deal a big scam

Echoing the sentiment of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Shiv Sena chief Uddhhav Thackeray for the first time has called the controversial Rafale deal as a big scam. Uddhav demanded, people have a right to every detail about the deal and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, should clear the air on it. Thackeray was on a tour to Raigad district on Thursday, when he addressed two rallies at Mahad and Karjat. “Everybody must be aware about the Rafale scam. I want to make it clear, Sena will not be a part of the BJP government's sins,”said Thackeray. He added, “Every Shiv Sainik should go out and tell all the people of all the sins done by BJP."

Till this rally, Uddhav had not attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, over the Rafale deal. He had criticised Modi without naming it a scam. Even at the Dussehra rally, on October 19, Subhash Desai, a senior Sena leader had attacked Modi over Rafale deal, but Udhav was soft on Modi.

"The speech at Mahad is an indication, Thackeray has changed his mind regarding the alliance with BJP. He is no mood to ally with the BJP in the next elections, despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis showing interest," said a Sena leader who did not wished to be named.

Uddhav told the people at one of the rallies, "The fight has now begun for the Lok Sabha polls and that politics as the environment in the country is depressing. I am concerned about what will happen to our people and the country," Thackeray said.

He asked party workers to go among public and ascertain if they have received any benefits from the schemes of Modi government. Refering to the Ram mandir issue, Uddhav said, “The bricks which were collected to construct the temple were in reality not for the temple. They were actually steps to take you to seat of power,” accused Uddhav.