Expressing disappointment with the one-year rule of the Narendra Modi government, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today voiced concern over ground realities remaining unchanged despite BJP securing the mandate on the plank of "Acche Din" (the good days).
Significantly, the long-time NDA ally has turned a critical lens to BJP's work at an hour when the Centre was under attack from the opposition both within and outside the Parliament over a host of issues.
"Even 50 years are not enough to clean up the mess created by the previous (UPA) government. But a lot has to be done in the next five years to fulfil the aspirations of people. You (the BJP) had promised 'Acche Din' to people and thus cannot cheat them now," Thackeray said in an interview in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
He said that even though governments have changed at the Centre and in Maharashtra, nothing much has changed on "ground".
"Every morning when we open a newspaper, we read the same news that once bored us... The thought which comes to our mind is that we used to read the same news before. Be it farmers' suicide, protests of the unemployed people, crimes against women," he said.
Asked to comment on Pakistani flags being raised in Kashmir, Thackeray said, "Haven't seen it happen in a long time."
In his reply to another query, Thackeray questioned the change the BJP has brought about after allying with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.
"What can I do? It is surprising. I do not have personal enmity with anyone but what stand did you (BJP) have on Mufti Mohammed Sayeed before ? How can you forget his style of politics? If Kashmir progresses, it is good. But bringing about a change does not mean giving the state a big financial package. People there should be turned back towards India," Thackeray said.
Reiterating his stand on ridding farmers of their debts, he said they should be financially sound so that they can take new debts if they want.
