'Raj Thackeray once sang paeans of Sharad Pawar': Rajesh Tope asks MNS chief to introspect

Coming down heavily on Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope opined that MNS president h taken a U-turn on NCP supremo Shar Pawar. Flaying Thackeray for describing Pawar as 'casteist', Tope urged him to introspect before making such comments. He also recalled that MNS chief h publicly lauded former Union Minister until two years ago. Tope's comments come in wake of faceoff between MNS and MVA over former's threat to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques if loudspeakers aren't removed. 

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Rajesh Tope remarked, "I don't understand reason for 360 degrees change in Raj Thackeray who once sang paeans of Shar Pawar. Until two years ago, he would describe Pawar Saheb as an ideal leer. Today, he is calling him casteist...People who are saying this are creating casteism. y should introspect before pointing fingers at ors." 

Raj Thackeray's criticism of Shar Pawar

dressing a massive rally in Aurangab on May 1, Raj Thackeray stressed that he doesn't want to stoke riots in Maharashtra. However, he gave an ultimatum to Uddhav Thackeray-led government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 4, failing which he warned that Hanuman Chalisa will be played at double volume in front of such mosques. He me it clear, "If you are going to give loudspeaker issue a religious turn, remember that we will have to reply with religion only."

On this occasion, MNS chief stated, "Shar Pawar charged me on creating disharmony. Pawar, you divided this state in caste politics. Now, Pawar has suddenly started speaking about Shivaji Maharaj. Has Pawar ever taken name of Shivaji? When I said Pawar is an aist, y got disturbed. Your daughter said in Lok Sabha that my far is an aist."

He ded, "Pawar, you re only what is comfortable for you. My grandfar (Prabodhankar Thackeray) believed in Hinduism. My grandfar was a believer in dharma.  I have brought here a few references for Shar Pawar. se are references from my grandfar's writings.  My grandfar h started  Hindu Missionary Movement. My grandfar started public Navratri Utsav. You should re about my grandfar thoroughly."

In an open letter on May 3 where he reiterated his call to remove loudspeakers, Raj Thackeray noted, "I appeal to Chief Minister of Maharashtra that years ago, Shivsena Chief Hindu Hriday Samrat Shri. Balasaheb Thackeray h stated that ‘all loudspeakers need to be silenced’. Are you going to listen to this? Or are you going to follow non-religious Shar Pawar who is responsible for keeping you in power?"