AIMIM MP suggests alliance with Shiv Sena-led MVA
says three-wheeled ruling dispensation can become 'comfortable car'
Aurangabad(PTI): Suggesting an alliance with ruling Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress in Maharashtra, AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel has said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) can become a "comfortable car" from the three-wheeled autorickshaw which can prevent the BJP from coming to power.
Jaleel's overture was rejected by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party while BJP took a dig saying such tie-up between the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party and the Sena cannot be ruled out.
Shiv Sena leader and MLC Ambadas Danve said that there is no question of allying with a party that opposes singing of 'Vande Mataram' and "runs on the thinking of Razakars"- the paramilitary volunteer force deployed in the cause of maintaining Muslim rule in Hyderabad and resisting integration into India during 1947-48.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said the AIMIM joining hands with NCP and Congress is immaterial for BJP.
Jaleel had on Friday said that the AIMIM was not a 'B' team of the BJP as alleged by mainstream parties and was willing to ally with NCP and Congress.
The Aurangabad MP had said that he spoke about the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen's willingness to tie up when state minister and NCP leader Rajesh Tope visited his residence on Friday.
On Saturday, Jaleel said that another wheel can be added to the three-wheeled autorickshaw of the MVA to make it a "comfortable car".
"There is no power left in them (Shiv Sena) to defeat BJP single-handedly. That's why they need the support of Congress and NCP. I propose that let's add another wheel to the autorickshaw (of Maha Vikas Aghadi) and make it a comfortable car. We have expelled the corporator who had opposed singing of 'Vande Mataram' (in the Aurangabad municipal corporation) and he joined NCP now," Jaleel, who heads the Maharashtra unit of AIMIM, told a Marathi news channel.
Danve said the AIMIM has always opposed Vande Mataram, uprooted the saffron (flag) here and planted a green one. "The AIMIM is an organisation that runs on the thinking of Razakars. There is no question of going with AIMIM," he told reporters.
Jaleel made the overtures for an alliance to NCP when state minister and NCP leader Rajesh Tope visited his residence on Friday.
"Tope visited me on Friday, days after lost my mother due to an illness. It is always alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party wins because of us (AIMIM- due to splitting of Muslim votes). To prove this allegation wrong I proposed to Tope that we are ready for an alliance. However, he didn't say anything about my offer," Jaleel had told reporters on Friday night.
Queried about the likely stand of Shiv Sena regarding AIMIM's offer, the Aurangabad MP had said the fact is that these parties want the votes of Muslims.
"Why only NCP? The Congress also says they are secular and they also want votes of Muslims. We are ready to join hands with them too. The BJP has done the maximum damage to this country. We are ready to do everything to defeat them," the AIMIM leader had said.
Replying to Danve on Saturday, Jaleel said,"I want to say that neither he nor I was born during the time of Razakars. (Shiv Sena MP) Sanjay Raut says that we bow in front of the grave of (Mughal emperor) Aurangzeb. We are in a new era and Aurangzeb is a part of history. No Muslim bows in front of any grave. He (Aurangzeb) might be acceptable to you or maybe not, but the fact is that he had ruled the country. When I asked a specific question they diverted to Aurangzeb, Razakars".
Taking a dig, Danve said that for the common people autorickshaw offers a comfortable ride.
"The Shiv Sena is with common people. We need no car. The fact is that Aurangzeb looted this country and destroyed temples. What Jaleel has to say about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Mahraj? He is also part of history who had contributed for this motherland and the Hindu religion, yet AIMIM has opposed renaming Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar," he added.
Jaleel had said that AIMIM had also spoken (about a tie-up) with the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh (polls), but they wanted votes of Muslims and not Asaduddin Owaisi, who heads the party.
"In Maharashtra also, these parties (Congress and NCP) want votes of Muslims but not the AIMIM. You blame us for BJP's victory. I propose that then let us contest the elections together," he had said.
Taking a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, Fadnavis said, "Will Sena and AIMIM come together? This cannot be ruled out. The Sena has started 'Azaan' competition and saying Janab Balasaheb Thackrey, hence their coming together cannot be ruled out".
He said people have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and will elect BJP to power again due to his leadership and development work.
AIMIM had won two seats in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Fadnavis rides motorcycle to Vidhan Bhavan, says PM Modi asked only for 'small sacrifices'
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday rode a motorcycle to the Vidhan Bhavan here and later defended the Centre's austerity measures, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has only "asked people to make small sacrifices".
He also criticised the Opposition for creating "unnecessary controversy" over the matter, adding that questioning the PM's foreign visits - aimed at strategic alliances and economic benefits - was "sheer foolishness".
Fadnavis arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan in South Mumbai on a motorbike from his residence 'Varsha', with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar accompanying him, to attend the swearing-in of new members of the legislative council.
The move comes as part of the measures after PM Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and foreign exchange in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy supplies. India relies heavily on West Asia for crude oil and gas imports.
On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis announced a series of austerity measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Fadnavis said the state government had curtailed convoys, cancelled avoidable foreign tours and decided against holding large government events for the next six months.
Targeting the Opposition, the CM said similar austerity measures had been adopted by previous governments, including during the tenures of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao, as well as by former finance minister P Chidambaram in 2012.
"The Opposition needs to show some maturity. Countries across the world have taken even tougher decisions. The prime minister has only asked people to make small sacrifices while himself taking very tough decisions. Creating unnecessary controversy over this is not appropriate," he said.
Fadnavis said he travelled by motorcycle to send a message on fuel conservation, adding that symbolic actions by political leaders help spread awareness among people.
"When leaders act symbolically in this manner, the message reaches the people. That is why I came here on a motorcycle," he stressed.
The chief minister said all unnecessary foreign visits by officials and ministers had been stopped, and efforts were underway to reduce fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.
"We have reduced our convoys. Wherever petrol and diesel can be saved, wherever foreign exchange can be conserved, we are making every possible effort," he said.
Fadnavis said a major government event scheduled in Satara on Friday would, however, go ahead as it was planned in advance and expenditure had already been incurred.
He said around 25 lakh families would receive benefits valued at Rs 10,000 crore under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during the programme.
"After this event, however, no large government programmes will be organised over the next six months," he added.
The CM also dismissed criticism on social media over PM Modi's foreign visits, saying overseas trips aimed at strategic alliances and economic gains for the country should not be equated with avoidable travel.
"The appeal is only against unnecessary foreign travel. It does not mean businessmen should cancel important overseas deals. Criticising the prime minister's foreign visits is sheer foolishness," he said.
