Rajnath, Uddhav flay Centre's 'minority appeasement policies'

Mumbai, Jan 7 (UNI) BJP president Rajnath Singh and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray have flayed the UPA government at the centre for its ''Minority appeasement policy''.

Addressing a joint rally late last evening at Pantnagar here to garner support for the BJP-Sena alliance candidates for the February 1 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections the BJP Chief condemning the privileges showered upon the minorities, said the Muslims constitute a huge portion, around 17 per cent, of the total population.

''Had their population been less around ten per cent, then such privileges and concessions would have been justified, ''he noted.

Both Mr Singh and Mr Thackeray also claimed that terrorism and security-related concerns had heightened and the UPA government has been able to do very little to contain these threats.

Mr Thackeray also rued that the Centre was ''meting step-motherly treatment to Mumbai'' despite the fact that the metropolis was a huge revenue earner for the country.

Citing the recent unsavoury happenings in Mumbai, like the molestation of a woman near the Gateway of India on December 31, Mr Thackeray said these were aberrations and went against the culture of Mumbai.

Both the leaders urged the respective party workers to ensure the victory of the alliance candidates in the civic polls.

UNI