Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray took a sarcastic jibe at the BJP on Tuesday, asking the saffron party to take along its allies, too, if it wants to remove the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
"If you want to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb, call Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, too. Don’t just use this issue for political mileage," said the former chief minister.
Thackeray's jibe was an apparent reference to the significant Muslim population in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and how the minority vote bank is crucial for both the JD(U) and the TDP.
Thackeray's remarks came after protests by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb turned violent in Nagpur leading to the vandalisation of several houses and vehicles.
Hitting out at the ruling party, Thackeray said the controversy is used to deflect the public attention from the “lack of developmental achievements” in the state.
"The government says it cannot remove Aurangzeb's mausoleum because it is centrally protected. Then why don't you approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard?," he asked.
Thackeray also mocked the BJP's assertion that Hindus are unsafe in Nagpur.
"The RSS headquarters is there. There is a double-engine government. If the double-engine government has failed, then they (the chief minister and the home minister) should resign," he said.
Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray also echoed his father's statements and alleged an "unprecedented breakdown" of the law and order situation in the state.
Aaditya alleged that the BJP government was trying to convert Maharashtra into another Manipur.
"Sadly, when the BJP cannot govern, they resort to violence, riots, this is their set formula in every state, if you look at Manipur, that is what they want to convert Maharashtra to, today no investment, tourists go to Manipur, this is what they want for Maharashtra," he said.
The Sena (UBT) leader also challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet Prime Minister Modi and raise the demand for the removal of the tomb.
"They are trying to dig up the history of a person who lived 300-400 years ago, but they cannot speak about the present, future. The irony is that the grave is protected by Centre, if CM Fadnavis has the courage, then he should visit PM Modi, and ask for the removal of the grave. It's simple," said Aaditya Thackeray.