PM Modi, 'younger bro' Uddhav Thackeray speak in Latur at first joint rally

After walking up on stage at their first rally together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's hand high enough for everyone to see, and referred to him as his "younger brother". The two powerhouses were at Ausa in Latur district on Tuesday, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Republican Party leader-plus-minister Ramdas Athavale.

Uddhav reciprocated in his speech by reminding the PM of how Sardar Patel had thrown his weight behind Maharashtra's cause in Marathwada when it was part of the Nizam of Hyderabad's empire.

He also welcomed his support for issues close to his heart. "The BJP manifesto promises to build the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, do away with Article 370 and look into the welfare of farmers, which is why the Sena has allied with the BJP," he said. "I appeal to Prime Minister Modi to destroy Pakistan which is causing bloodshed every day. I challenge the Opposition to prove their worth by attracting fifty per cent of the crowd of today's rally."

Demonstrating that their differences were clearly a thing of the past, PM Modi praised Shiv Sena founder and Uddhav's father, late Balasaheb Thackeray, for putting the welfare of the people before dynastic politics. "Other parties that indulge in dynasty politics should learn from Shiv Sena. Balasaheb Thackeray could have become a chief minister or appointed his son to the seat in 1995, but he did not."

He panned the Congress for advocating human rights, saying that such activism does not suit the party which took away the fundamental democratic right of casting votes from Thackeray.

The late leader was banned from exercising his franchise in the late nineties for six years after he was found indulging in "corrupt practice by seeking votes in the name of religion" at a public rally.

Taking on NCP leader Sharad Pawar next, he panned him for seeking a separate Prime Minister for Jammu and Kashmir and blamed the Congress for the creation of Pakistan. "Congress is speaking Pakistan's language and NCP leader Sharad Pawar is echoing the same, which is not expected of him," said PM Modi.

Terming the Grand Alliance an adulteration tactic, he said that if Congress leaders had shown wisdom in the pre-Independence era, Pakistan would not have been born. "Today it wants to hold talks with those who want to create anarchy in the country and in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. He cited that Congress manifesto which assures scrapping of the sedition law, a move Pakistan would welcome.

He appealed first-time voters to side with those who conducted the surgical strikes. "Dedicate your first vote to those who brought such policies," he said. "The country has now changed and has proved that it retaliates in a befitting manner."