Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray addressed separate Dussehra rallies on Saturday, each making strong assertions regarding the future of the Shiv Sena and its ideological roots.
Speaking at a rally in south Mumbai's Azad Maidan, Shinde claimed that the revolt he led freed the Shiv Sena from those who "betrayed the ideals" of party founder Bal Thackeray. According to news agency PTI, he took direct aim at Uddhav Thackeray, stating, “There is now no difference between your Shiv Sena (UBT) and Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM.”
Shinde pointed out that during the Lok Sabha elections, his faction won seven out of the 13 seats contested, compared to the Sena (UBT), which won only nine out of 21. He asserted that his party's strike rate of 47 per cent surpassed the Sena (UBT)'s 42 per cent.
"We freed Shiv Sena from those who betrayed Balasaheb's ideals. Everyone knows whose votes led to your victory. Iqbal Musa, a bomb blast accused, took part in campaigning. Pakistan's flag can be seen in your campaign trails. Congratulations to the votes you got after abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and abandoning Hindutva," he remarks, as quoted by PTI.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister also suggested that Uddhav Thackeray failed to prioritise the welfare of Dharavi's residents during his tenure. "You built bungalow after bungalow while Dharavi's residents remained in slums," he claimed, defending his government's decision to rehabilitate all 2.10 lakh residents of Dharavi.
Shinde accused Uddhav of corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government impeded infrastructure projects in Mumbai and Maharashtra. "We are not the ones who do Facebook Live but work face to face," he asserted, suggesting that Uddhav's inaction could not be justified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Uddhav Thackeray Asks RSS To Introspect If It Agrees With BJP's 'Hybrid' Hindutva
In response, Uddhav Thackeray, addressing a rally at Shivaji Park, defended his decision to break off the alliance with the BJP, stating, "I did not abandon the ideology of my father, but only parted ways with the BJP because I don't agree with its version of Hindutva." He urged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to introspect, asking, "Have a 'chintan shibir' (brainstorming meet) and introspect if you agree with the present-day BJP which has become a hybrid."
Uddhav expressed his respect for the RSS but questioned its stance, asking, "For whom are you saying all this when the BJP government is in power for ten years? Should Hindus still feel unsafe?" He emphasised his commitment to the ideals of Bal Thackeray, remarking, "I could not have survived if you had not been with me," referring to the support of his party workers.
Highlighting the ongoing legal battle regarding the Shiv Sena split, Uddhav referenced Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud's comments about how history would judge his tenure, stating, "You should know that the time is now. Take decisions to save democracy."
Uddhav also promised that if he returned to power, he would construct temples for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district and vowed to scrap decisions made by the Shinde government that favour builders and contractors. "I will not allow Maharashtra and Mumbai to go to Adani... we will scrap the Dharavi redevelopment project if it sends Dharavi residents to saltpan lands," he asserted, as quoted by PTI.
Uddhav's son, Aaditya Thackeray, also made his maiden speech at the rally, signalling a generational shift in leadership within the party.
In a reaction to Uddhav's comments, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule warned women that the MVA would scrap the Laadki Bahin scheme, which provides women with Rs 1,500 per month, should they return to power, PTI reported.