Sena in govt, doing more work than Oppn: Uddhav

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, while saying terror had no religion, raised objections to the use of the term 'Hindu terrorism' during the current regime. Commenting on the arrests of alleged Naxal sympathisers, Thackeray called upon the government not to just make allegations, but submit concrete evidence.

He remarked, "New precedents are being set. The police itself is holding press conferences." The Sena president remarked it was regrettable that Hindu terror was being talked about during this government. He wanted to know why the labels Hindu terror or urban Naxals, if terror has no religion?

The Sena president disclosed having received a phone call from Hardik Patel, the Patidar leader from Gujarat who has been on a hunger strike for the last 12 days. Thackeray added he had advised Patel to withdraw his strike, telling him to be choosy about going on a hunger strike.

"There is some merit if one is on a hunger strike before people who are sensitive," he observed. Taking a further dig at the government, he said, "Instead of talking to terrorists and Pakistan, talk to the youth of the country and solve their problems." Terming the BJP MLA Ram Kadam a 'low-level person', Thackeray wanted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action, "as he had insulted our mothers and sisters", and deny him a ticket.