Raj Thackeray misinforms, spreads half truths: Vinod Tawde

Terming MNS leader Raj Thackeray's public rallies as entertainment by touring talkies, BJP leader and senior Minister Vinod Tawde, on Saturday, said that the former's criticism of the first cashless village of Dhasai in Murbad is proof of partly true and misinformed campaigns.

Speaking to media persons, Tawde said that the BJP would not be retaliating to Thackeray's criticism with a counter video since now, the people of the state know who is misleading them. Tawde said that Thackeray did the same thing about Harisal village in Amravati district, where he selectively recorded a video footage and misrepresented it. Therefore, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not going to bring out counter videos for Dhasai village, he said.

Explaining certain facts about the village, Tawde said that Dhasai's cashless transactions started long back and it is the first village that has been doing it. He said that one needs to see whether such services were available to these villages before. He also said when technology is provided, it gradually results in flawless operation. Tawde said that instead of taking this fact into consideration, Thackeray is showing interviews with accusatory questions and is making tall claims about lack of development. He added that development and improvement have actually taken place.

Criticising Thackeray over the demonetisation issue, Tawde said, "it seems that demonetisation has cost Thackeray heavily. He needs to explain it to the people of Maharashtra as to why he is so angry with demonetisation?" Tawde further said that the entire pool of unaccounted money has come back to the economy and black money which was nearly the size of the entire economy has been made redundant after note ban. Tawde said that people who do not understand economics will not get this basic thing.

Retaliating to flak from NCP President Sharad Pawar on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Tawde said, "Pawar said he does not wish to see Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil in RSS's attire of a half pant and a cap. Firstly, RSS has already changed its uniform. It seems that Pawar Saheb is not following recent updates or suffers from memory loss. He could also be practising politics of convenience as he had taken the support of RSS MLAs during his 1978 Progressive Democratic Alliance, to become the then chief minister of the state.

POINT A FINGER

• Vinod Tawde said that Dhasai’s cashless transactions started long ago and it is the first village to do so
   
• He blamed Raj Thackeray of misrepresenting facts