Uddhav likens NDA to amoeba, says it has no definite shape and size; also calls it 'arrogant'
Hingoli, Aug 27: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday likened the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to an amoeba, saying that the BJP-led front does not have any definite shape and size.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling the opposition INDIA alliance as "ghamandia" (marked by arrogance) and "Indian Mujahideen", Thackeray said the NDA should be called "ghama-NDA" ("ghamandiye" meaning arrogant).
Addressing a rally at Hingoli in Maharashtra, he also asked Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao to clarify whether he supports the INDIA alliance or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"The INDIA alliance comprises nationalist parties that want to protect democracy in the country. But most parties in the NDA comprise traitors and those who have joined the BJP as allies by breaking other parties," Thackeray said.
"The present NDA is like an amoeba, which has no definite shape and size...The INDIA alliance will defeat the BJP," he said.
The former chief minister asked BRS chief Rao to decide whether he was fighting for the country or supporting the BJP.
"If you are with the country, then join the INDIA alliance or declare your alliance with the BJP openly. Don't divide votes," Thackeray said referring to the BRS trying to enter electoral politics in Maharashtra.
The BRS should first focus on its own backyard, which is not in good shape, the Sena (UBT) president said.
Thackeray appealed to people to join the INDIA alliance for protecting democracy and the Constitution.
"The opposition bloc hasn't united against PM Modi, but for the sake of the country," he said.
The INDIA alliance meeting will be held in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1. Thackeray is scheduled to host dinner for the leaders on August 31.
Thackeray also criticised the BJP government for allowing a cricket match between India and Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup in Ahmedabad.
Targeting the BJP, Thackeray said his former ally is a party of "Aaya Ram Gaya Ram" (leaders switching sides).
"I pity the BJP cadre who worked tirelessly to bring the party to power. It was being said this was a double-engine government and now a third engine of Ajit Pawar has been added. I wonder how many more engines will be added. Is this a goods train?" he alleged.
"After NCP leader Hassan Mushrif joined the state government, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seems to have forgotten the road to his house," he said, referring to the central agency's probe against the minister.
Mushrif and eight other Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the Maharashtra government last month with Ajit Pawar taking oath as the deputy chief minister, thereby creating a split in the party founded by the latter's uncle Sharad Pawar.
Thackeray ridiculed the "Shasan Aplya Dari" (government at your doorstep) programme of the Eknath Shinde-led state government, saying that it was nothing but lies.
The programme is aimed at taking the government schemes to the doorstep of the common people.
"Farmers are yet to get compensation for the crop losses incurred due to unseasonal rains and now they are facing drought. A bureaucrat who conducted a survey on the status of farmers in Marathwada and gave a report that the government should provide cash compensation of Rs 25,000 each was forced to take voluntary retirement," he said.
Thackeray said when the state was reeling under drought-like conditions, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis went to Japan.
"It is good if he gets investment from Japan, but what about the projects that were to come to Maharashtra but taken to Gujarat instead. Will he bring them back?" Thackeray asked.
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Dense fog disrupts operations at Delhi airport; 228 flights cancelled, 5 diverted
New Delhi (PTI): Dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhi Airport on Monday, with various airlines cancelling 228 flights and diverting five to nearby airports due to low visibility, an official said.
However, except for Air India, which had in an X post in the morning announced the cancellation of some 40 flights, no other airlines, including crisis-hit IndiGo, shared the numbers of their cancelled or delayed flights.
"As many as 228 flights -- 131 departures and 97 arrivals-- have been cancelled due to low visibility, so far," the airport official said.
In addition to this, five flights have been diverted so far, he said.
Earlier, the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), in a statement, said, "Our on-ground officials are working closely with all stakeholders to assist passengers and provide necessary support across Terminals.
"Low visibility (below minima), due to dense fog, has severely impacted operations at Delhi and other airports across northern India, which is unfortunately beyond our control," IndiGo said in a statement.
As operations are adjusted to prevailing weather conditions, some flights may experience delays, while a few others may be proactively cancelled during the day to prioritise safety and minimise extended waiting at the airport, the airline said in a statement.
IndiGo, however, did not say how many of its flights were cancelled or delayed.
The airline said its teams are "closely monitoring" the situation and coordinating with Delhi airport.
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IndiGo also said it issued advisories to its customers and "proactively" informing them, to minimise inconvenience.
“Poor visibility due to dense fog in Delhi this morning has impacted flight operations for all airlines. We are closely monitoring conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so,” Air India said in a post on X in the morning.
It also said that some flights have been cancelled In the interest of safety, and to avoid prolonged uncertainty for the guests, while listing out some 40 arrivals and departures that it had cancelled for the day.
Delhi airport is the country's busiest, handling around 1,300 flight movements daily.
