Mumbai, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s Transport Minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik recently addressed several pressing issues, including migration from northern states to Maharashtra, Amit Thackeray’s threats, and the political landscape of the Thackeray family.
Sarnaik pointed to a lack of job opportunities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as a primary driver of migration, attributing this issue to the failures of previous governments in those states. He emphasized that many individuals from these regions come to cities like Mumbai to work in various sectors, including driving auto-rickshaws and taxis.
During an interview, Sarnaik questioned why leaders in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have not created sufficient employment opportunities despite their long tenures in power. He criticized the Congress party and the Gandhis for not addressing the persistent unemployment issues in these states. He also accused the former governments of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party of neglecting migration prevention efforts.
He noted that people often migrate to cities like Mumbai for better job prospects. While acknowledging that the migration trend has decreased in the past 15 to 20 years under the BJP and its allies, Sarnaik stated that it has not completely stopped. He praised the current government for its efforts while holding previous Congress, SP, and BSP administrations accountable for the ongoing migration.
Regarding Amit Thackeray’s recent threats, Sarnaik made it clear that he does not support such aggressive rhetoric. He argued that political differences should not lead to violence or threats. Issues that can be resolved through dialogue should not be met with inflammatory statements.
As discussions continue about leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) joining the faction led by Eknath Shinde, Sarnaik claimed that some legislators from Uddhav Thackeray’s camp are in contact with him. He suggested that some elected officials are beginning to realize their political missteps and are gravitating towards Shinde. He clarified that “Operation Tiger” should not be viewed as a formal campaign, noting that Hindutva was a key principle upon which the Shiv Sena was founded, a principle that Uddhav Thackeray distanced himself from after aligning with Congress in 2019.
Sarnaik declined to specify how many legislators are in contact with him or when they might rejoin Shiv Sena, but he maintained that discussions are ongoing. He commented on the political future of the Thackeray family, stating that no party or leader’s political career ends abruptly. He acknowledged that political dynamics fluctuate, and while Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray’s influence may have diminished since 2019, it is premature to declare their political demise.
On the topic of Muslim participation in Garba celebrations and the controversy surrounding bans on burqas, Sarnaik disagreed with statements made by Minister Nitesh Rane. He suggested that such comments are often made for publicity. He highlighted his own large-scale celebrations of Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi, which include participation from the Muslim community without issues. He urged against unnecessary disputes regarding festival participation and supported RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks linking love and goodwill towards Muslims to Hindu values.
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