Sena attacked BJP for minister Rajkumar Badole's disparaging comments about Maratha protests. (File)
Not losing any opportunity to target the BJP, the Shiv Sena today attacked Maharashtra minister Rajkumar Badole for his remarks suggesting that those turning up for the ongoing Maratha protests were being lured by money.
"Nowadays anyone comes up and stages protests and demands reservations. Their (Marathas) protests draw huge crowds as they have money," Mr Badole had said on Monday.
An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna said. "Badole tried to clarify his remarks by saying he wasn't referring to Marathas in particular, instead he was referring to the general situation during rallies. If that is true, then what about Amit Shah's rallies, where is sweating it out to bring in crowds to be part of his poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh?"
"What about Prime Minister Narendra Modi? His rallies also attract large crowds. BJP should clarify is these leaders pay money to the crowds?" the editorial further asked.
Attacking Mr Badole for his remarks the Sena said "injustice" had been done to the Marathas and that the minister's comments only reveal what the government has been thinking all along.
"Maratha rallies are successful due to discipline, making proper use of the media, good administrators and their anger towards the ruling dispensation. His (Badole's) comments will only increase the problems for the BJP," the Sena said.
A few weeks ago, the Sena was at the receiving end of Maratha anger after it printed a satirical cartoon lampooning the silent marches that have characterized the movement so far. The Maratha are demanding reservation in government educational institutions and jobs.
"Words that may cause social disharmony should not be spoken and care should be taken to ensure communities don't fight other communities," the Sena said.