Shiv Sena: Sadhvi’s comment has shaken Narendra Modi’s image

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Tuesday said that Bhopal BJP candidate and Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's comment had shaken the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the latter was trying to inculcate patriotism in people through martyrdom and courage of the soldiers.

The Sena said that the image of the Prime Minister was an asset of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Sena also said that Thakur’s statement over slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare could not be supported. However, it expressed some doubts on the investigation into the Malegaon bomb blast case.

The Sena in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana' Tuesday said, “We also had some doubts about the investigation into the Malegaon bomb blast. Do not discredit the Hindus and do not emphasise the phrase 'Hindu terrorism' - such was our policy. We had then spoken about the investigation being carried out under political pressure and only 'Saamana' had openly supported and fought for Thakur and Colonel Purohit.”

The editorial added that at the same time, calling a man like Hemant Karkare - who laid down his life for the country after falling prey to the bullets of Pakistani terrorists in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and was later awarded the Ashok Chakra – anti-national was contemptible and an insult to the martyrs of the nation. “Even in the heat of the election season, the memory of the martyrs should not be besmirched,” it said.

The editorial further said that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that there was a dormant Modi wave and at the end of the third phase, too, the wave was being felt.

The Sena also pointed out to degrading levels of the election campaign.

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