Maharashtra: 'Acche din have only come for dance bars,' says Raj Thackeray

In the wake of Supreme Court's ruling modifying the conditions laid down by the Maharashtra government for resumption of dance bars in the state, MNS president Raj Thackeray on Thursday reminded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of his own jibes when in opposition.

"Acche din have come for dance bars," he said.

When the Supreme Court earlier scrapped the ban imposed on the dance bars by the Congress-NCP government, Fadnavis, as state BJP president, had said that the government had not done its homework and lacked the will and hence could not articulate its stand before the SC.

"Now what happened Chief Minister? Was your homework incomplete or you do not have the will or now you have some understanding with the bar owners?" Thackeray said in a statement.

On Wednesday, following the SC ruling, Fadnavis and Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil had talked about bringing in a tougher legislation on dance bars. If the government shows similar empathy for other issues as shown in the case of reopening of dance bars, people would thank it, he said.

If the dance bars are to be allowed so that people working there may not lose jobs, then "why only dance bars? The government should make matka, betting legal and if possible, give approval for theft and dacoity as well," he said.

"This clearly shows 'acche din' are for whom...what is meant by (BJP slogan during 2014 elections) 'Ab Ki Baar'. Achhe din have come for dance bar owners," Raj added.