NAGPUR: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief
Uddhav Thackeray
created a flutter on Thursday by giving an open invitation to Union minister
Nitin Gadkari
to join MVA after pointing out that Nagpur MP's name did not figure in BJP's first list of candidates for
Lok Sabha polls
. Maharashtra deputy CM
Devendra Fadnavis
reacted to Uddhav's statement on Friday by calling him '
gali ka neta
(small-time politician)'.
Addressing a meeting at Omerga in Osmanabad district, Uddhav expressed shock at the exclusion of Gadkari's name in the first list despite being a 'BJP veteran and loyalist'.
He called upon Gadkari to show his Marathi mettle and 'not swallow insult or bow to Delhi'. "We will ensure his Lok Sabha victory once he joins MVA. Gadkari's name is missing while names of leaders facing corruption charges like (former Maharashtra minister) Kripa Shankar Singh are in BJP's first list along with PM Modi," he said.
Fadnavis attacked Uddhav saying: "The president of 'Band Baja' party inviting a leader of Gadkari's stature is akin to a small-time person from a 'gali' (lane) offering him the post of US president. He has made fun of himself through these statements." Fadnavis, who represents Southwest Nagpur seat in Maharashtra assembly, said Gadkari was a tall leader and would contest from Nagpur seat.
"His name would be on the list whenever it's announced. In the first BJP list, Maharashtra aspirants were not named as seat-sharing talks with Mahayuti constituents (BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP-Ajit Pawar) were still on," he said.
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