Mumbai:

Supporting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for his comments on Hindutva, the NCP said on Monday that everyone should be proud of the religion they profess but it is wrong to spread hatred in its name and the chairman of the Shiv Sena gave the same message.

In his address to Shiv Sainiks on Sunday, which also marked the birthday of his father and party founder Bal Thackeray, the chief minister said the Sena had left the BJP and not the Hindutva.

The Chief Minister had also said, “I believe that the opportunistic Hindutva of the BJP is only for power. The Shiv Sena had aligned with the BJP because they wanted power for the Hindutva. The Sena is not ever used Hindutva for power.”

Reacting to the comments, Minister of State and NCP Chief Spokesperson Nawab Malik said: “Everyone should be proud of their religion, but it is harmful if there is hatred against others”. “The Shiv Sena tries to say the same thing that one should be proud of one’s religion and spread it, but it is wrong to spread hatred against others. We believe that Uddhav Thackeray i said the same,” said Mr Malik, whose party shares power with the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Congress.

Addressing the electoral commission, Mr Malik said seeking votes in the name of religion is a violation of the code of conduct.

“But, for the past seven-eight years, the electoral commission has been silent when votes are solicited in the name of religion. This is the impotence of the electoral commission. We believe that the electoral body should think about it, otherwise he will lose his credibility,” he said.

Five states – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur – will vote from next month.