Mumbai. Supporting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for his remarks on Hindutva, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday said everyone should be proud of their religion, but spreading hatred in its name is wrong and Shiv Sena President This is the message that Thackeray has given. Addressing Shiv Sainiks on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said that Shiv Sena has left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), not Hindutva.
Thackeray said, “I believe that BJP’s opportunistic Hindutva is only for power. Shivsena formed an alliance with BJP as it wanted power for Hindutva. Shivsena never used Hindutva to get power.” Reacting to the remarks, state minister and NCP’s chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “Everyone should be proud of their religion, but hatred against each other is harmful.”
“The Shiv Sena also wants to say the same thing that everyone should be proud of their religion and spread it, but spreading hatred against each other is wrong. I believe Uddhav Thackeray ji has also said the same thing.” Taking a dig at the Election Commission, Malik said that seeking votes in the name of religion is a violation of the model code of conduct.
“But for the last seven-eight years, the Election Commission is silent on the demand for votes in the name of religion. This is the helplessness of the Election Commission. We feel that the commission should think about it, otherwise its credibility will be lost.”