Uddhav reaches out to socialists, says old differences can be resolved

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said the old differences with socialists were mainly ideological which can be settled for the cause of democracy.

Addressing a gathering of 21 socialist parivar parties, Thackeray recalled that despite differences, his father and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and socialist leaders had come together for the common cause of Samyukta (united) Maharashtra.

The movement achieved its goal when Maharashtra was created as a Marathi linguistic state in 1960 with Mumbai as its capital.

“We had ideological differences even though our objective was the same. Differences can be resolved when we sit and talk,” Thackeray said.

He recalled how George Fernandes managed to defeat Congress stalwart SK Patil in the 1960s, saying the trade union leader instilled confidence among people that Patil, a Mumbai strongman who had the backing of industrialists, could be defeated.

“It can happen even now if we stand united for democracy. Cadres are very important and if we have a strong cadre, there is no need to fear,” he added.

Thackeray said Shiv Sena- founded in 1966 — and socialist parties have had a long history of differences but they did come together on issues like Samyukta Maharashtra.