Uddhav Vs Shinde On Sena Foundation Day: ‘BJP Sabotaging Marathi Unity’, ‘Betrayer Of Hindutva’ Barbs Fly
On Shiv Sena's 59th anniversary, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde held rival rallies. Uddhav accused BJP of sabotaging an alliance with MNS, while Shinde labeled him a "betrayer" for abandoning Hindutva.
Marking the 59th foundation day of the Shiv Sena, both rival factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde held simultaneous rallies in Mumbai on Thursday, launching blistering attacks on each other. While Uddhav accused the BJP of sabotaging any alliance between his faction and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Shinde retaliated by calling him a “betrayer” and accusing him of abandoning Hindutva.
Both leaders addressed separate events — Uddhav at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, and Shinde at the NSCI Dome in Worli — each invoking the legacy of Bal Thackeray while claiming to be the true inheritors of the Shiv Sena ideology.
BJP, Shinde Sena Do Not Want Marathi Parties To Unite: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the BJP was attempting to derail a potential alliance between his faction and Raj Thackeray’s MNS. He referred to recent meetings between the MNS chief and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reportedly held at a five-star hotel in Mumbai, saying, “In order to scuttle the possibility of alliance of Marathi parties, meetings are being held in hotels and elsewhere”, news agency PTI reported.
He added, “What people want will happen. We will see how it is to be done. The BJP and Shinde Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. If you try to finish the Thackeray brand, we will finish off the BJP.”
Uddhav also quoted a famous dialogue from the film Prahaar, saying, “Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, ‘Come on, kill me’.” Referring to a scene from another film starring Amitabh Bachchan, he warned, “But if you dare attack me, come along with an ambulance like in the film, because you will meet the same fate.”
He accused the BJP of attempting to divide Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities ahead of civic polls, asserting, “The imposition of Hindi in the state will not be allowed at any cost.” He also charged the party with betraying its own promises, citing the unfulfilled commitments made in the Mahayuti manifesto including the Laadki Bahin scheme and farm loan waivers.
Thackeray recalled the post-2019 rift with the BJP, stating, “They (BJP) promised me that the Shiv Sena will have the chief minister’s post for two and a half years but didn’t keep the promise.”
Eknath Shinde Hits Back: ‘You’ve Abandoned Hindutva’
At the Worli rally, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded with sharp barbs, asserting, “Mere talk is not enough. You need strength in your wrists.” Accusing Uddhav of aligning with the Congress purely out of a hunger for power, he said, “Balasaheb Thackeray opposed Congress, but those desperate for power aligned with that party. UBT has betrayed the Marathi people, Shiv Sena voters and have abandoned Hindutva.”
According to PTI, Shinde also mocked Uddhav’s cinematic reference, saying, “You need a tiger’s heart and strength in your wrist. How can we kill someone who is already dead? People of the state have already finished them in the assembly polls… Don’t provoke me. If someone does that, I don’t leave them. I have already upturned your horse carriage and taken away your horses.”
He further accused Uddhav of ignoring key issues. “Why do you hesitate to call Balasaheb as Hindu Hriday Samrat? You join hands with those who abuse Modi and (Amit) Shah who fulfilled Balasaheb’s dream of Ram temple and abolishing Article 370. Why do you sit with those who abuse Savarkar and Hindu religion?” he asked.
“Are you Indian or are you a Pakistani agent? Pakistan uses your statements against India,” Shinde said, adding, “Rahul Gandhi has become a hero in Pakistan but is a zero in India.”
‘Sena UBT Celebrating Someone Else’s Birthday’, Mocks Shinde Camp
Adding a humor to the fierce political face-off, the Shinde faction took to social media to mock the Uddhav-led camp for observing Shiv Sena’s 59th foundation day. Posting a cartoon showing Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray confused over their party’s actual birthdate, the post sarcastically referred to a Wikipedia page stating that Shiv Sena (UBT) was formed on 10 October 2022.
“How can a group formed on October 10, 2022, celebrate the Shiv Sena’s 59th foundation day?” the post questioned. The jab came as both factions held separate celebrations of the party’s foundation day — a tradition tracing back to 1966 when Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena.
Shinde also praised his party’s leaders, including his son Shrikant Shinde and MP Milind Deora, for their role in international outreach after Operation Sindoor. He announced a new initiative, the Ladki Soon (Daughter-in-law) scheme, aimed at supporting women facing domestic abuse.
He also revealed that 50 former corporators from the undivided Shiv Sena had joined his camp, and urged supporters to gear up for the upcoming local body elections. “Balasaheb’s ideology is our wealth,” he said, calling for unity and preparation, as per PTI.
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