'Shameless bhakts' will doom Modi, Shiv Sena warns BJP

The Shiv Sena on Friday took strong umbrage at the tendency of ally Bharatiya Janata Party activists to raise chants of 'Modi, Modi' all the time and warned that these 'shameless bhakts' will spell doom for the Prime Minister.

"Today, the country faces its greatest threat from such lowly persons, whether in politics or religion.... These audacious people who scream 'Modi, Modi' every time are actually harming the PM's reputation," the Sena said in an edit in the party mouthpieces, 'Saamana' and 'Dopahar Ka Saamana'.

Referring to the incident in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation two days ago, when BJP corporators chanted 'Modi, Modi' and Shiv Sena corporators retaliated with 'Chor Hai, Chor Hai', the party pointed out that those (BJP) who challenged the Sena Tiger, got a resounding reply "kaan ke neeche" (below the ears).

"We have always respected Modi as the PM...His name should evoke pride among the people, but not in such a maniacal manner," the edit urged, on the incident which created embarrassment in BJP circles.

It recalled how in 1971, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had brought Pakistan to its knees by severing East Pakistan to create an independent Bangladesh during the India-Pakistan war.

"Her 'bhakts' had even coined a slogan of 'Indira Is India' and blatantly insulted Mother India....However, despite her heroism in the 1971 War, she had to face a humiliating (electoral) defeat, which was largely due to the vulgarity exhibited by her hysterical 'bhakts' then," the edit said.

"We are bringing all this to the notice of the BJP leadership because they cannot challenge the Shiv Sena supremacy on the strength of these shameless hirelings," it declared, hinting at the roughing up of a BJP corporator by the Sena's women corporators in the BMC that day.

On the BMC function (July 5), the party wondered why the BJP corporators created such a ruckus when the Rs 647-crore grant was not coming from the BJP treasury nor was it intended for the Shiv Sena's coffers.

"The money (compensating losses from Octroi after it was replaced by GST) was given by the Maharashtra government for Mumbai city, but these (BJP) 'city fathers' behaved as if it was coming from their own pockets," the edit said.

The Sena again warned the BJP not to tread in its path like the proverbial 'black cat', and said that the 'red brigade' and even the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party which had dared to challenge the party's might are "nowhere in the picture today."

Similarly, it warned the BJP that "those who shamelessly rant 'Modi, Modi' will also prove to be your nemesis".

--IANS

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