Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), raised questions about the recent call for a “dharma-yudh of votes” made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the upcoming Maharashtra elections 2024. Thackeray questioned whether this call aligns with the model code of conduct set by the Election Commission. He recalled an incident where he was asked to remove the words “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” from his party’s election anthem before the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, but he refused to do so.
During a campaign rally in Dombivli town of Thane district, Thackeray expressed his concerns about the direction the BJP is heading in, referring to it as a “hybrid” party filled with opportunistic leaders from outside. He criticized the current BJP leadership for straying from the vision of late party stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pramod Mahajan, and Gopinath Munde. Thackeray also highlighted the differences in the vision of Hindutva between Shiv Sena and BJP, stating that while their Hindutva lights stoves in people’s houses, the BJP’s Hindutva burns them down.
Moreover, Thackeray pointed out the issue of the “Gujarati-Marathi divide” and accused the BJP-led Union government of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of the people. He also raised concerns about corruption under the rule of the BJP and Shiv Sena in Thane district, alleging that the two parties have been involved in looting municipal corporations.
Thackeray’s statements come in the midst of a heated political environment in Maharashtra as the state gears up for the upcoming elections. His questions to the Election Commission about the appropriateness of the “dharma-yudh of votes” call and his criticisms of the BJP’s leadership reflect the growing tensions and differences within the political landscape of the state.
It is evident that Thackeray’s remarks are not just aimed at political opponents but also serve as a reminder of the core values and principles that Shiv Sena stands for. As the election season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out and impact the overall political scenario in Maharashtra.
