Chandrakant Patil gives clean chit to Raj Thackeray over migrants issue

Patil met Thackeray at his Shivaji Park residence. Pic/MNSadhikrut

If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Chief Chandrakant Patil is to be believed, then Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray does not hate people from other states, north Indian migrants in particular. He made the observation after meeting Thackeray on Friday amid talks of the two parties forging an alliance for the local body elections to be held next year.

Though Patil said they did discuss politics but an electoral pact between them wasn't today's agenda, his certificate to Thackeray seemed to have taken things forward, because the former had said the BJP won't talk alliance with MNS unless and until Raj drops the anti-north Indian agenda. Patil said he has suggested to Thackeray that he must change in letter and spirit the perception that the people have about his views on migrants. The two met at Thackeray's Shivaji Park residence. The meeting was preceded by their brief interaction in Nashik some days ago.

"I told him about the perception that he smacks of hate and bitterness while aggressively making his point for the sons of the soil. But Thackeray told me that he does not hate people from other states. He said he just wants to insist that the local people must get 80 per cent jobs in their states. He said he would also say the same in the case of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir," said Patil.

Bonding over Hindutva?

Patil further said he asked Thackeray to expand his scope of work because the people of Maharashtra saw a good leader in him and he must say his thoughts emphatically.

"Thackeray promised me that he would sharpen his agenda of Hindutva after the pandemic subsides," said Patil, clearly suggesting that Hindutva could be a binding force for the MNS and BJP, which had managed to win an overwhelming number of seats in the Mumbai civic polls, fighting against the Shiv Sena.

After the Sena formed a government with ideologically opposite Congress and NCP, the BJP has been accusing the ruling party of dropping Hindutva and making compromises to keep the partners happy.

Following the Sena's shift, the MNS made strategic changes to its policies by adopting a saffron flag last January. It was seen as Raj's effort of occupying the space that his estranged cousin could forgo because of a new-found love for secularism.

On Friday, Patil was very particular in underlining the Hindu connection. ‘When two Hindus meet and depart, the host always asks the guest to visit again," Patil told media persons. He said the BJP leaders who are usually in touch with Thackeray were in the know of his meeting with Thackeray. "I will convey to them what has transpired between us today," he added.

Anything possible: MNS

MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said the party was positive when it fought alone and it is positive even now. "Patil was happy. Anything can happen in politics."