'Cow Urine Didn’t Bring Independence': Uddhav Attacks BJP In Ratnagiri Amid Shiv Sena Symbol Row

Uddhav Thackeray described BJP as a political party with the most corrupt members, as he addressed the first rally since losing the party's name and election symbol.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray arrives, in Khed.

New Delhi: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched an attack on the BJP and the CM Eknath Shinde faction. Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, Thackeray asked that "Did our country attain independence by sprinkling cow urine? Did this happen that cow urine was sprinkled & we got freedom? This was not the case, freedom fighters sacrificed their lives then we got independence," Uddhav Thackeray said, quoted by news agency ANI.

Did our country attain independence by sprinkling cow urine? Did this happen that cow urine was sprinkled & we got freedom? This was not the case, freedom fighters sacrificed their lives then we got independence: Uddhav Thackeray in Ratnagiri pic.twitter.com/IZAHeAGW3W

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023

Thackeray described BJP as a political party with the most corrupt members, as he addressed the first rally since losing the party's name and election symbol, "bow and arrow," to the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

"People should keep one thing in mind that those who have stolen our 'Bow-and-Arrow' (party symbol) & then come to seek votes are thieves," said Thackeray.

"We've to decide that those who don't have any relation with freedom struggle & have animal instincts should be buried in 2024. We've to take oath that we won't let Mother India come under clutches of slavery. If we won't do it then 2024 elections will be last one," he added.

He said, "I have come to seek your blessings and support."

The Election Commission had given the group led by Shinde, who has the support of the majority of Shiv Sena's MLAs, the name "Shiv Sena" and its poll symbol last month, dealing a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray.

Thackeray declared that he disagreed with the EC's decision.

"If the Election Commission is not suffering from cataracts it should come and see the ground situation. The EC is a 'chuna lagav' commission and a slave of those in power. The principle based on which the EC took this decision is wrong," he said.

According to Thackeray, the party has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.

He said, pointing to the large number of people who attended the rally, "You (the Election Commission) have taken away the party name and the symbol from us, but you can't take away Shiv Sena from me."

He claimed that the BJP was attempting to cruelly and brutally eliminate the Shiv Sena.