Fake degrees have become a political trend: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, Jun 25: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray took potshots at the BJP here today and said that it has become a trend to display fake degrees.

"It has become a trend in politics to display fake degrees. Simply do the right thing. Why run behind false things," Thackeray said, without naming anybody including Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde or Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, at a book launch function in suburban Dadar.

However, a senior Sena leader said that Uddhav Thackeray's remarks were also aimed at Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, whose fake degree case has reached court. Incidentally, the book launched by Uddhav Thackeray at the function today evening, was written by former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Sena leader Manohar Joshi.

Thackeray also said that corruption allegations against Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde were "grave" but did not comment further on the issue. "Allegations against Pankaja Munde are serious but the Maharashtra Chief Minister should take a decision on it," he told reporters.

Munde happens to be embroiled in a controversy related to alleged corruption in purchases worth Rs 206 crore by the Women and Child Welfare department, without any tendering process.

The Sena chief, who had received a lot of flak last week for waterlogging in Mumbai from Ashish Shelar of the BJP, also used the event to point out discrepancies in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

Ashish Shelar of the BJP had demanded an inquiry into Mumbai's nullah cleaning and put the onus of waterlogging on the Sena. Giving it back to Shelar, Uddhav Thackeray said, "In Ahmedabad also nullahs were not cleaned and people faced waterlogging there as well. This also should be inquired," he said.

He extended his support to the fishing community and assured them that the proposed coastal road would not hinder their livelihood.

"I assure yout that the coastal road will not create problems for my fishermen brothers. Their concerns will be addressed before completing the project," he said.

PTI