Situation in J&K has worsened since 2014, says Shiv Sena
Mumbai, Jan 14: The Shiv Sena said Monday that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's watch and claimed the BJP-led government at the Centre frittered away the massive 2014 poll mandate.
Modi talks about his "56-inch chest", but more Army jawans have shed blood in the militancy-hit state under his dispensation than previous governments, said the BJP's bickering ally.
Despite getting an overwhelming mandate in 2014, the BJP failed to fulfil its pre-poll promises and now its leaders are talking of even bigger win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said the Sena in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
"BJP leaders were delivering speeches at Ramlila Maidan and pitching for a second term in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections with a strong mandate. So, what about the mandate you got in 2014? Was it hollow?" the Sena said.
Last week, a two-day meeting of the BJP's national council was held at New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, where the party kickstarted it's campaign for 2019 polls.
"Such statements are an insult to 2014 mandate," said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, a constituent of the BJP-headed governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra.
"Construction of Ram temple, (fighting) corruption, inflation, creation of jobs were some of the top points on which the campaign for the 2014 general election was based.
"Chest thumping over '56-inch size' was also done along with tall promises to counter terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. But we continued to lose our jawans there," said the editorial in the Marathi daily.
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened in the last four-and-a-half years, said the Sena.
"We do not know the measurement of our jawan's chest, but without any complaint they have continued their fight against terrorism. But, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has complained against Congress harassing him," it said.
A true leader is one who forgets his personal woes and tries to solve challenges facing the country, the party said.
"The Congress-led government was incompetent and hence it lost election (in 2014) and now the Modi regime is in power but jawans are still being killed.
"The 'chowkidar' should take a note of it," the Sena said in an apparent reference to PM.
The Sena publication said paying tributes to jawans who die in line of duty should not become just a ritual.
"It seems offering tributes to our martyred jawans has become an official national activity. Those who find pride in offering tributes should visit the family of such jawans once," the Shiv Sena said.
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.
Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
