Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, criticized Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday for using the term “taint” and said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader would need “psychiatric treatment” in light of the current political climate in the state.
Speaking to party members in Nagpur, where Fadnavis is from, Thackeray said on Monday that the BJP leader was a “taint” on the city since he had sided with the NCP despite vowing never to do so.
Thackeray argued that Fadnavis’ “no means yes” by playing an old audio tape of his refusing to work with the NCP.
Fadnavis responded when asked about Thackeray’s remarks, “It hurts me to see the opposition and erstwhile friend (Thackeray) experiencing the effect of current political circumstances. He may want to speak with a psychiatrist, in my opinion.
On July 2, NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight of his colleagues joined the Eknath Shinde administration, causing a seismic upheaval in the political landscape of the state. The others were sworn in as ministers while Ajit Pawar was appointed as deputy chief minister.
Fadnavis said, “Given his psychological state at the time, it is unreasonable to respond to someone who makes claims. Because of his present mental state, we should make an effort to comprehend it. It is best to not respond to what he says.
After Thackeray criticized Fadnavis, a number of BJP officials also sided with him.
According to BJP MLC and former opposition leader in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar, Thackeray “has weakened Hindutva by forsaking the BJP. He is a disgrace to Hindutva. He is not allowed to criticize our leaders in this way.
The language used by Thackeray against Fadnavis is reprehensible, said BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and another BJP MLC Pravin Datke. He is pushed by us to return to Nagpur. People will kick him with their shoes,” said Bawankule.
Additionally, the BJP attacked Thackeray on Facebook.
Uddhav Thackeray should have looked in the mirror before making such offensive remarks on Fadnavis, it was said on Facebook. In the mirror, you would have seen a face marred by corruption.
You have lost your mind, the Facebook message said. You are the only one who can speak in such slang. You are Maharashtra’s stain. You need care at a mental health facility.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s fake funeral procession was staged by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the party’s youth wing, earlier in the day. BJP activists in Nagpur also demonstrated against Thackeray.
