Mumbai:
Even before Prithviraj Chavan takes oath as the Chief Minister, the sons of the soil have set out to exploit his perceived lack of understanding of state politics. And what better way to kick-start the campaign than by pulling up the to-be CM for getting Mumbai's name wrong.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday derided Indore-born Chavan for referring to the city as Bambai, and asked him to take the oath in Marathi to prove his credentials.
A year ago, during the swearing-in ceremony of the new assembly, MNS members had assaulted state Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi in Vidhan Bhawan after he insisted on taking his oath in Hindi, leading to their temporary suspension.
Chavan made the reference in a press briefing in Delhi after his name was announced for the chief minister's post. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on Thursday.
"Even though Prithviraj Chavan has worked mostly in northern India and is well-versed in Hindi, he hails from Karad, and therefore should take oath in Marathi as the chief minister of Maharashtra," Thackeray said, and added, "We should gift him prayer beads to memorise the word 'Mumbai'. We want him to become acquainted with the state if he is not. He should be here as Chavan and not Chouhan."
"He also has to give priority to the problems of farmers, the police and government employees, instead of builders. Chavan stays in Delhi most of the time, and does not know the real issues of the state," Thackeray said.
In signature tongue-in-cheek style, Raj wished Chavan good luck for the new assignment, "provided the state Congress leaders let him keep the post".
The Shiv Sena, too, bit the jugular as its executive president Uddhav Thackeray said, "It is unfortunate that the Congress doesn't have any candidate from the state who can lead, and has been forced to import a CM from Delhi. The Congress-NCP should now do away with all the cabinet ministers involved in the Adarsh scam."
Bharatiya Janata Party's senior leader, Vinod Tawde, spoke in headlinese when he said, "Prithvi missile launched by Congress high command to destroy corruption towers built by ex-CM of Maharashtra."
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