Congress triggers 'sword-fight' with Raj Thackeray, says 'his entire ideology has changed'

Speaking to media on Monday, senior Congress leader and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat slammed MNS chief Raj Thackeray for threatening retaliation with “swords”. Mocking Thackeray for changing his pro-democracy ideology, Thorat asserted that such incendiary langu would t be acceptable in state. Moreover, he stressed that rule of law is supreme in Maharashtra.  

“I saw his speech. He was pro-democracy. w, his entire ideology has changed. He is w speaking langu of swords. In Maharashtra, langu of swords is t acceptable for anyone. He should t say such things. Maharashtra is a state which runs according to law of land. And it will continue to run as per law only,” Balasaheb Thorat stated.  

Read: Cong's Thorat Reacts To PM’s Speech In Lok Sabha: Criticised Opposition, Silent On Ecomy

'Swords will be answered with swords'

On February 9, Raj Thackeray addressed a massive MNS rally demanding ouster of Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators from country. Defending Centre on Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens, he termed MNS protest march as an “answer” to numerous nationwide protests.  Virtually threatening retaliatory violence, Thackeray warned anti-CAA protesters that ir “swords” would be answered with “swords”.  

Raj Thackeray on February 9 said, “Today’s march is an answer to those who have been organising protests against CAA and NRC. You will get a march as an answer to your march. But let me warn you, stones will be answered with stones and swords will be answered with swords.” 

Read: 'BJP Patronising Raj Thackeray': D Raja Takes A Jibe At MNS' Anti-immigrant Rally

MNS veers towards Hindutva

Thorat's reaction assumes significance as Raj Thackeray has increasingly adopted a pro-Hindutva stance since formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi government in vember 2019. This has reportedly irked Congress party as MNS chief played a key role in exposing alleged flaws of Narendra Modi government at Centre in run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha polls. While MNS did t contest election, his speeches were circulated and used by opposition parties across country.

However, this did t fetch dividends for Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra. Subsequently, MNS' alliance talks with Congress-NCP for Assembly elections did t materialise. Thackeray's support to CAA and NRC comes after his secret meeting with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. 

Read: Raj Thackeray Takes Fight To CM Uddhav's Doorstep; MNS Puts Up Poster Outside Matoshree

Read: Raj Thackeray Backs CAA At MNS Rally, Questions ‘why Admit Muslims From Pakistan?