Uddhav, Fadnavis question each others' mental health

MUMBAI: The Facebook Live murder-suicide sparked a war of words between Shiv Sena (UBT) party chief Uddhav Thackeray and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis with the two trading charges about each another's mental health, on Saturday.

At a press conference held at his residence on Saturday, Thackeray said: "...Maharashtra has got a psychopathic home minister." He also referred to Fadnavis as a "very ruthless, merciless and heartless home minister".

Fadnavis, on his part, later said that something had affected Uddhav Thackery's mental health and went on to add that he (Thackeray) should 'get well soon', when asked specifically about Thackeray's statement that govt supports goondas and that the home minister was mentally ill.

The heated exchange of words between the two leaders of now-rival parties follows the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar allegedly by Mauris Noronha during a Facebook Live session at the latter's office in Borivali on Thursday. Morris too was found dead soon after.

Thackeray also slammed Fadnavis, who controls the home portfolio, for his statement that the Opposition would blame him (Fadnavis) even if a dog comes under a vehicle in the state.

In response, Thackeray had a not-too-gentle reminder for Fadnvais. "...As home minister, you have the responsibility of all animals and people. How do you equate a youth leader with a dog when he was murdered?"

Thackeray asked, even as he reiterated a demand made by other allies of his party that state govt be dismissed and elections be held in Maharashtra. Echoing Fadnavis's statement on Thackeray's mind heath, BJP Mumbai unit secretary Vivekanand Gupta has sent an email to the Mumbai police stating, "It will be in the interest of the state and its people that Mr Uddhav be taken into preventive custody under Mental Healthcare Act and be released only when he is completely cured and fit to understand what he speaks."

Thackeray, in a dig at Fadnavis, said, "People understand you wag your tail like a dog in front of Delhi. But tell goons don't be afraid even if there is a murder. Come to BJP, we will forget everything. Is this Modi a guarantee for hooligans? It seems so."