BJP leader Ashish Shelar apologises over his remark against Uddhav Thackeray

Former Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Ashish Shelar on Monday apologised for his remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. 

"If my words have hurt anyone, I apologise. However, we think that political parties or leaders that stand with those who celebrate Afzal Guru's anniversary, insult the Constitution, support Sharjeel Imam, are anti-constitution. We will continue to question them," Ashish Shelar was quoted in media reports. 

This comes after the BJP leader made remarks against Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. Shelar had slammed the Shiv Sena chief over his opposition to implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. 

"This state is not your father's property that you can talk of not implementing NRC," Shelar said while addressing the gathering at a meeting in Palghar. 

On Sunday, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar lashed out at CM Uddhav Thackeray for announcing that he will not allow the implementation of NRC in Maharashtra, pointing out the unwillingness of MVA government to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). 

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"Today I learned that Shiv Sena has changed its position. If we start talking about Sena's changing stance, even the chameleon will commit suicide. He (Uddhav Thackeray) is saying that CAA will not be implemented in the state. This legislation has been brought by the central government," said Shelar. 

Reacting to Shelar's remarks, Maharashtra Housing Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Jitendra Awhad attacked Ashish Shelar. 

"Shelar may use such language, but we are not going to Gujarat to trace his 'fathers' there. BJP is rattled because they have lost power in Maharashtra," said Awhad. 

NCP MP Supriya Sule also criticised the BJP MLA for his remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and warned Shelar for his choice of words when it comes to the CM of the state.

In an interview with Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray defended the CAA saying that his party wasn’t against this law. The CAA is not about taking away citizenship, CM Thackeray added.

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Moreover, CM Thackeray said that he will not allow the implementation of NRC in Maharashtra.