Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a scathing attack on his predecessor and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray during his Dussehra address at Mumbai Azad Maidan Ground on Tuesday. He claimed that the latter abandoned the party’s fundamental Hindutva moorings in order to work with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and achieve his personal goals of becoming the CM.
Shinde claimed that Uddhav could team up with Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM or even with “Lashkar-e-Taiba or Hamas” if it suits his political ambitions. Uddhav resigned as chief minister after his Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was reduced to a minority and ultimately fell in the wake of his rebellion and switchover to the saffron camp.
“The populace is aware of the current situation. Balasaheb Thackeray, our founding leader, had values that were sacrificed to appease someone else’s hunger for power and ambition to become the chief minister. The same Congress that Balasaheb always kept us apart from joined forces with them. These folks are now on the same stage as them,” Shinde yelled at Uddhav.
“If they (Sena UBT) join with the Congress, I won’t be shocked. They abandoned the fundamental principles upon which the (undivided) Shiv Sena was established in order to side with the socialists, their ideological rivals, rather than being proud Hindus. If it serves their political goals, they could even team up with Owaisi or terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas. For the sake of power, our Shiv Sena can and will never compromise with our foundational principles, said Shinde.
Uddhav, speaking at a Dussehra counter-rally at Dadar’s Shivaji Park, challenged CM Shinde to call for elections in the state so that the people may vote on how well-liked and popular the two Sena groups are.
If you dare, have elections. You (Shinde) will learn who the true Shiv Sena is from the people of Maharashtra. Elections must be held in Maharashtra, I dare you,” Uddhav remarked.
