BJP can't cheat people now after promising 'Acche Din': Shiv Sena

Mumbai, Jul 23: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray today took a dig at its ally and said that ground realities have remained unchanged despite BJP coming to power at the Centre, promising 'Acche Din'.

"Even 50 years are not enough to clean up the mess created by the erstwhile government. But a lot has to be done in the next five years to fulfill the aspirations of people. You (the BJP) had promised 'Acche Din' to people and thus cannot cheat them now," Thackeray said in an interview in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

To a question, Thackeray said that even though the governments have changed at the Centre and in the state, nothing much has changed on "ground".

"Every morning when we open a newspaper, we keep reading the same news that once bored us...The thought which comes to our mind is that we used to read the same news before. Be it farmers' suicide, protests of the unemployed people, crimes against women," he said.

When asked to comment on Pakistani flags being raised in Kashmir, Thackeray said, "Haven't seen it happen in a long time."

Replying to another query, he questioned the change the BJP has brought after allying with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.

"What can I do? It is surprising. I do not have personal enmity with anyone but what stand did you (BJP) have on Mufti Mohammed Sayeed before (election)? How can you forget his style of politics ? If Kashmir progresses, it is good. But bringing in a change does not mean giving the state a big financial package. People there should be turned back towards India," Thackeray said.

The Sena chief also reiterated his stand on freeing farmers from their debts and said they should be financially sound so that they can take new debts if they wish to, in future.

PTI