Slamming the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of “deliberately” targeting celebrities, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that there was an effort to create an impression that the state has become a hub of narcotics.
Uddhav Thackeray was speaking at his party Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally at Shanmukhanand in Mumbai where he accused the NCB of deliberately going after celebrities for “publicity”.
“They catch a celebrity, click pictures and make noise around it. Our police only work while the news is about whether someone got bail or not,” CM Uddhav said.
Uddhav Thackeray was referring to the Mumbai cruise drug bust case in which Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan was arrested. Aryan Khan is currently lodged at Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail.
“An impression is being created that Maharashtra has become a hub of narcotics. Drugs worth crores were seized in Mundra port. Court asked for a probe. Which state is Mundra Port in?” Uddhav Thackeray asked, referring to the nearly 3,000 kg of drug haul at Mundra Port in Gujarat which was worth Rs 21,000 crore.
“While you’re sniffing small quantities of ganja, our cops have seized drugs worth Rs 150 crore,” CM Uddhav said. “Do whatever you want. Our police are brave.”
Uddhav Thackeray further went on to say that the country has a big young population dealing with unemployment. “I am not talking about one young man. I am talking about the entire generation,” he said. “If they are not given a job, they will explode like a bomb under your seats. You are proving them criminals for drug consumption.”
“If they are not getting jobs, how can we blame them? We are at fault for not helping them with their lives,” the CM added.
Uddhav Thackeray also accused the ruling BJP of defaming Maharashtra as the state “rejected” them. “You are defaming Maharashtra like a jilted lover who throws acid on the face when he is rejected. Are you defaming Maharashtra because it rejected you?”
