Mumbai: Disapproving Narendra Modi's efforts to project himself as a secular leader, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday advised the Gujarat chief minister - in his pursuit of a top post in New Delhi - not to administer the "poison of secularism" to the Hindus.
In a strongly-worded editorial published in the Sena's mouth-piece Saamna, Thackeray said: "Modi should not forget it was the Hindu vote bank that helped him reach a position he is today. Therefore, it is necessary for him to pursue the Hindu interests".
"Hindu Ram sevaks were killed in Godhra train burning incident and that's why Hindus exploded (resulting in 2002 riots in Gujarat). Do not kill Hindus by administering a dose of the poison of secularism to them," he told Modi.
Alluding to Modi's ongoing fast in Ahmedabad, Thackeray said: "Modi should not forget that after Maharashtra, it was Gujarat which is considered the laboratory of Hindutva. Modi's battle may be for the gaddi (throne) in Delhi, but he should realise that he cannot achieve his goal without the sadbhavana (goodwill) of Hindus".
Thackeray also hit out senior BJP leader from Maharashtra Eknath Khadse for criticising his home state during his speech at Modi's fast venue, by saying: "Maharashtra pales in comparison with the vast progress made by Gujarat. Gujarat means brightness and Maharashtra is nothing but darkness"
He wondered as to how Khade, who is the leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, could project his state in such a poor light and that too in another state.
The Sena chief's caustic comments against Modi and other BJP leaders came on a day, when his nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray supported Modi's bid for Prime Minister's post.
Maintaining that Modi was a good Prime Ministerial material, Raj told media persons at Ahmedabad: "Modi could become a good Prime Minister and my party will support him. In fact, anybody who wants to work hard for the people of the country can become a good PM."
Raj, who had visited Gujarat last month at the invitation of the chief minister, defended Modi's fast, saying it was different from other fasts and that there were no demands attached to it. "One needs to understand the objective behind it first, before criticising it," MNS chief said.
In a strongly-worded editorial published in the Sena's mouth-piece Saamna, Thackeray said: "Modi should not forget it was the Hindu vote bank that helped him reach a position he is today. Therefore, it is necessary for him to pursue the Hindu interests".
"Hindu Ram sevaks were killed in Godhra train burning incident and that's why Hindus exploded (resulting in 2002 riots in Gujarat). Do not kill Hindus by administering a dose of the poison of secularism to them," he told Modi.
Alluding to Modi's ongoing fast in Ahmedabad, Thackeray said: "Modi should not forget that after Maharashtra, it was Gujarat which is considered the laboratory of Hindutva. Modi's battle may be for the gaddi (throne) in Delhi, but he should realise that he cannot achieve his goal without the sadbhavana (goodwill) of Hindus".
Thackeray also hit out senior BJP leader from Maharashtra Eknath Khadse for criticising his home state during his speech at Modi's fast venue, by saying: "Maharashtra pales in comparison with the vast progress made by Gujarat. Gujarat means brightness and Maharashtra is nothing but darkness"
He wondered as to how Khade, who is the leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, could project his state in such a poor light and that too in another state.
The Sena chief's caustic comments against Modi and other BJP leaders came on a day, when his nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray supported Modi's bid for Prime Minister's post.
Maintaining that Modi was a good Prime Ministerial material, Raj told media persons at Ahmedabad: "Modi could become a good Prime Minister and my party will support him. In fact, anybody who wants to work hard for the people of the country can become a good PM."
Raj, who had visited Gujarat last month at the invitation of the chief minister, defended Modi's fast, saying it was different from other fasts and that there were no demands attached to it. "One needs to understand the objective behind it first, before criticising it," MNS chief said.
