Karnataka Flag Row: "Why is BJP not reacting" asks Uddhav Thackerey

Mumbai: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray criticised and questioned the silence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government for not taking a strict view of the Karnataka government’s demand for a separate flag.

The Sena said such a demand is an offence and sedition charges should be charged against them regarding this.

“States like Karnataka are demanding their own flags…leave the Congress, but what about the BJP,” Thackeray said in an interview to Marathi mouthpiece, Saamana, and its Marathi tabloid version, Dophar ka Samaana, on the eve of his 57th birthday on 27 July.

He later said “Let the central government dissolve the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka or stop all assistance to it. The Narendra Modi-led Central government will not take any tough steps in Karnataka because the BJP wants to win the upcoming assembly election there.”

“It is unfortunate that the BJP has not been able to reverse the special status to Jammu & Kashmir.” He added.