Right to protest thwarted, Sena says after flop show

After its failure to disrupt Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Mumbai on Friday, the Shiv Sena blamed the "Mussolini" rule in Maharashtra for muzzling the democratic right to protest.

The saffron party's leader Uddhav Thackeray said while referring to the tight security blanket thrown for Rahul Gandhi's four-hour trip, that Shiv Sainiks all over the city were prevented from their democratic right of protesting by waving black flags.

"This shows what kind of a 'Mussolini' raj is prevalent in Maharashtra," Thackeray said, apparently referring to the Italian dictator and Rahul Gandhi's mother Sonia Gandhi's Italian origins.

He described Chief Minister Ashok Chavan of the Congress as "a watchman" for waiting nearly an hour-and-a-half under a tree in Ghatkopar to receive Rahul Gandhi. In an unexpected change of plan, the Congress general secretary decided to take local trains instead of the helicopter to commute about the city.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi withdrawing cash from a bank ATM near Andheri railway station to buy a second class suburban train ticket, Uddhav Thackeray said it was expected. "Mumbai means Delhi's ATM," Uddhav said, implying that the city was allegedly being exploited by the rulers in Delhi for its wealth.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Friday called upon the youth of Mumbai to focus on the inclusive development of India and stay away from divisive politics. “If you want to make a change, join politics and the Congress party. Some people are trying to divert your attention from real issues, but you have to stay focused,” he said addressing 1,100 college students at Bhaidas Hall in suburban Ville Parle.

“Congress stands for a united India. There are two kinds of leaders in the country, one who divide and rule and the other who collaborate and take everyone along towards the objective of a united India and move forward.”

There are some people here who are trying to divide you on communal and linguistic basis and Congress is against them, the Congress general secretary said.

- Asian Tribune -