Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday extended support to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, calling it a “genuine movement for students” and urging all political parties to come together in support of the protesters. Uddhav also said Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi should go and back them.Uddhav said he would personally join the protest with Sonam Wangchuk if required and appealed to all political parties, including the Congress and even the BJP, to participate in the July 20 demonstration. Uddhav also took a dig at Union minister Nitin Gadkari, saying when the whole country was talking about potholes and poor roads, Gadkari was talking about ethanol.“Currently, there is a very strange situation in the country. After many years, the opposition party has a huge task to do in the country and in Maharashtra. Corruption is going on wherever we point the finger. There are potholes on the roads. Those who are responsible for the roads … like Gadkari, are talking about ethanol. All the work is going on indiscriminately,” said Uddhav.“The issue raised by Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar in Delhi is about the future of many youths. NEET exam papers were leaked, many students committed suicide. No one paid attention to it. The govt does not have time. The ruling party is more interested in splitting rival parties. Where the country’s fortunes are leaking, students are committing suicide, there is no time to pay attention. I fully support this movement and Sonam Wangchuk,” said Uddhav.“Sonam Wangchuk’s intelligence should be used. The person is on an indefinite fast. Four days ago, (Shiv Sena-UBT MP) Arvind Sawant was sent to meet him. I had requested Sonamji not go on a fast… because the country needs people like him. The govt has nothing to lose…. Sonam Wangchuk’s condition is deteriorating day by day. I would say that today, a moment has come when all parties in the country should come together,” said Uddhav.“I am not of the opinion that anyone should carry party flags there. But Abhijit Dipke is raising the voice for the youths of the country. I saw a video on social media that a march has been organized on the 20th. Abhijit Dipke has claimed that an attempt will be made to break up this movement…who are Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijit Dipke fighting for? Not only the youth but also the parents should be awake. Every political party across the country should do something in support of Abhijit Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk in their state. Until the country wakes up, the careless rulers will not wake up,” said Uddhav.“Of course, he (Rahul Gandhi) should go. I will also go. Whoever in the country feels like it, they should go. Even if they are from the BJP. Going beyond the party, if they have interest in the youth of this country, they should leave the party shoes aside and join the movement,” said Uddhav.
