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Is Modi PM of country or only Gujarat: Raj Thackeray

The MNS chief also took jibes at the promotion of the Gujarati community and development of Gujarat, saying all the investment is being directed there.

Updated on: Oct 6, 2014, 15:31:28 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Mumbai
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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by asking if he is the Prime Minister of India or Gujarat. He also took jibes at the promotion of the Gujarati community and development of Gujarat, saying all the investment is being directed there.

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HT Image

“You are the Prime Minister now, but still behave like the PM of Gujarat. Are you trying to show that Gujarat is running this country?” Thackeray said, at a rally organised in the eastern suburb of Bhandup.

Moving on to Modi’s US visit, Raj criticised the garba dances and US president Barrack Obama greeting Modi in Gujarati. “When Obama said ‘kem chho’ to Modi, it did not make anyone of us happy. Ideally it should have been in Hindi and not Gujarati. And what was the garba dance all about? What are you trying to prove?” Raj said.

He also cited an event in the city that was addressed by Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel on Saturday, where she spoke to industrialists. “She told them the traffic in Mumbai was disgusting. And that they should now look at Gujarat as an investment destination. Why should the Gujarat CM come here to say this?” he asked.

He also pointed out how a 250-acre plot, reserved for the coast guard academy, was cancelled and shifted to Porbunder in Gujarat. “The new bullet train, which will be brought to India, has been announced between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Who goes to Ahmedabad from here? Ideally it should have been to a big city like Delhi or Calcutta,” Raj said.

Questioning Modi’s statement on Saturday about the same government at the Centre and in the state, Raj said, “When you were CM of Gujarat, you had support at the Centre. So if Raj Thackeray has his government in Maharashtra, will you not support it?”

Interestingly, Raj had travelled to Gujarat in 2011 to see the work done by Modi and had even backed him during the Lok Sabha polls.

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