"Widespread resentment" under NDA rule: Thackeray

The NDA government today came under attack from key ally Shiv Sena over a range of issues with its chief Uddhav Thackeray claiming there is "widespread resentment" in the country and also mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his foreign visits.
The Sena in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' also attacked the government over Pakistani media reports that the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had found the Pathankot terror attack "stage-managed by India", saying this was the consequence of the government ignoring its warnings and rolling out a red carpet for the neighbouring country.
Addressing a conclave of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS), Thackeray said that those who look up to the government with hope are now finding danger lurking at every corner, claiming it is remotely concerned with the woes of the common man, who is burdened with taxes and rising inflation.

"The situation in the country is grim and there is widespread resentment. Jawans are working hard to guard the borders and farmers are toiling hard in the fields," he said.
"The government has got nothing to do with the hard earned money deposited in banks by people. People like (Vijay) Mallya take that money and flee the country," he added.
"The hard earned money of the people is going into payment of taxes. Those who had been elected with high hopes are now imposing taxes. Tax waiver is given on issues that are not required. Essential items are being taxed. What is the government policy ?" Thackeray asked.

He said that petrol and diesel is costly now and next food grains will be expensive.

"How should people survive in this inflation ?" he sought to know.
"In Great Britain, upon learning that closure of three major industries would lead to unemployment of 40,000 workers, Prime Minister David Cameron who was holidaying abroad with his family came rushing back," Thackeray said.
"Will this happen in our country ? At one end the British Prime Minister comes back. Our Prime Minister goes out," he said without naming Modi.
Commenting on the slogan chanting row, Thackeray said, "it was said that those who refuse to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' have no right to stay in the country. Then what are you waiting for?. Catch them by the scruff of their collar and throw them to Bangladesh and Pakistan".

On the leaked report of JIT, the Sena chief took a jibe at the government and said "those who planned terror attack in Pathankot airbase have been invited to investigate it."
"All warnings given by the Sena to the government about Pakistan have unfortunately proved correct. All the evidences given by the Indian government have been rejected by the Pakistani JIT. Not only did they reject it, but also in a mindless conclusion, termed it as India's drama," the Sena editorial said.
The Sena said the government ignored every warning and allowed the JIT to investigate the Pathankot attack.
"This (report) is the effect of rolling out a red carpet for Pakistan and ignoring the advice of friends while trusting the enemy nation. Even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Lahore and met Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, we had warned that there would be betrayal. In the end they betrayed us with a terror attack on Pathankot air base," it said.