Latest news with #UddhavThackeray
Mint
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Maharashtra News: Uddhav's ‘Prahaar' jibe vs Shinde's Hindutva retort mark Shiv Sena Foundation Day
Maharashtra News: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on June 19 accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to scuttle the possibility of his party's alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. In response, Maharashtra's Deputy CM Eknath Shinde slammed him for 'abandoning' Hindutva. Using a dialogue from the 1991 Nana Patekar-starrer Hindi movie Prahaar, Uddhav also challenged the 'gaddars' (traitors), the term he often uses for the Shinde-led group that 'ditched' him three years ago and joined the BJP-led government in the state. Both Thackeray and Shinde addressed rallies of their parties in Mumbai to celebrate the 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena, founded by Uddhav's father Bal Thackeray in 1966. While the Shinde-led Shiv Sena held its event at the NSCI Dome in Worli, the Sena (UBT) rally was at Shanmukhand Hall in the Sion area. In order to scuttle the possibility of an alliance of "Marathi parties", meetings are being held in hotels and elsewhere, Uddhav Thackeray said, apparently referring to Raj Thackeray's recent meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a five-star hotel in the city. "What people want will happen. We will see how it is to be done. The BJP and Shinde Sena do not want Marathi parties to unite. If you try to finish the Thackeray brand, we will finish off the BJP,' the former Chief Minister said. Recalling the famous dialogue from Prahaar, Thackeray said, 'Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, Come on, kill me.' In Prahaar, Patekar's character, Major Chavhan, confronts goons harassing a woman, and shouts, "Come on, kill me!" as he fights them off. 'But if you dare attack me, come along with an ambulance like in the film starring Amitabh Bachchan, because you will meet the same fate,' Thackeray said, without naming the movie Trishul, where Amitabh confronts the bad guys with an accompanying ambulance. At the Worli rally, Shinde countered, saying, 'Mere talk is not enough. You need strength in your wrists.' Uddhav said the imposition of Hindi in the state will not be allowed at any cost. 'The BJP wants to create a divide among Marathi and Hindi-speakers on the eve of civic polls,' he said, exuding confidence that his party will retain the Mumbai civic body. He said the BJP has no legacy of its own and had to install a massive statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who banned the RSS when he was the country's home minister. Referring to the BJP-led Mahayuti's manifesto, speaking of giving ₹ 2,100 per month to women under the Laadki Bahin scheme and loan waiver to farmers, he said the BJP did not fulfil these promises after the assembly elections. 'They (BJP) promised me that the Shiv Sena would have the chief minister's post for two and a half years, but didn't keep the promise," said Uddhav Thackeray, who parted ways with the BJP over the CM post after the 2019 assembly elections. When the opposition contested the Lok Sabha polls by forming the INDIA group, PM Narendra Modi compared the opposition bloc to the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, Thackeray claimed, adding that after Operation Sindoor, Modi sent MPs of the same opposition bloc all over the world to present India's stand. The BJP maligns opposition leaders with corruption charges, and then inducts them into the party, Thackeray said. Responding to Thackeray's accusations, Shinde claimed he was desperate for power and was therefore seeking an alliance with the MNS. Shinde said his party functioned as per Bal Thackeray's ideology. Shiv Sena (UBT) did not get even one-third of the votes polled by his Shiv Sena in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls, Shinde said. 'Whatever votes they got was because of the Congress as the real Shiv Sena voters have bid them goodbye,'' he said. 'Balasaheb Thackeray opposed Congress, but those desperate for power aligned with that party as they are desperate for power. UBT has betrayed the Marathi people, Shiv Sena voters and have abandoned Hindutva,' he said. Shinde said he has never seen a betrayer like Uddhav Thackeray 'who changes colours like a chameleon'. He said he will never compromise on Hindutva for power. 'Why do you hesitate to call Balasaheb as Hindu Hriday Samrat? You join hands with those who abuse Modi and (Amit) Shah who fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram temple and abolishing Article 370. Why do you sit with those who abuse Savarkar and Hindu religion,' Shinde said. 'Are you Indian or are you a Pakistani agent? Pakistan uses your statements against India,' Shinde said, naming Uddhav Thackeray. Like Nana Patekar in the film, I am standing before these traitors and telling them, Come on, kill me. Shinde also mocked Shiv Sena (UBT) for celebrating the party's foundation day, claiming that the Thackeray-led group came into existence only three years ago. How can a group formed on October 10, 2022, celebrate the Shiv Sena's 59th foundation day, he added.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP, Shinde interfering in alliance with MNS: Uddhav
Reiterating a possible alliance with his cousin Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena are trying to prevent it. 'Whether an alliance will happen or not, soon everyone will come to know. I will do what is in the heart of Maharashtra's people. However, they [ruling BJP and Shiv Sena] don't want Marathi people to come together, so the meetings have already started to prevent it,' said the former Chief Minister while addressing a crowd at Shanmukhananda Sabha Hall in Mumbai on the eve of the 59th foundation day of the Shiv Sena. Mr. Uddhav Thackeray attacked the BJP and his rival, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, for allegedly referring to the Opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, as the 'Indian Mujahideen'. 'Changing colours' Meanwhile, Mr. Shinde dubbed Mr. Uddhav Thackeray as a 'betrayer', accusing him of being desperate for power and 'changing colours like a chameleon'.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uddhav is desperate for power, changes colours like chameleon: Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday dubbed his rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray as a "betrayer", accusing him of being desperate for power and changing colours like a chameleon. Speaking at the 59th Foundation Day of the party, he said while self-confidence led him and his party to success, Thackeray's ego led him to his destruction. He also taunted Thackeray, saying he was eager to have an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. "He is so desperate that he is seeking alliances," he said in a veiled reference to the possibility of Sena (UBT)'s alliance with the MNS led by Uddhav's estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Also Read | Question mark over the future of MVA amid talks of new alliances Shinde said the ruling Shiv Sena functioned on the ideology of party founder Bal Thackeray, while the other side was desperate for power. ''We have the Shiv Sena bow and arrow symbol and people's support. We have protected Balasaheb's ideology,'' he said. He said the Sena (UBT) did not even get one third of the votes polled by his Shiv Sena in the 2024 assembly polls. "Whatever votes they got were because of the Congress as the real Shiv Sena voters have bid them good bye,'' he said. Shinde said he has self-confidence, while the other side has ego. "Self-confidence has give us success, while ego has led to their destruction. Balasaheb opposed Congress, but those desperate for power aligned with that party. Sena (UBT) has betrayed Marathi people, Shiv Sena voters and Hindutva,'' he alleged. Also Read | Uddhav rallies Shiv Sena (UBT) cadre for BMC polls, pitches 'Marathi pride' Shinde said he has never seen a "betrayer'' like Uddhav Thackeray, who changes colours very easily like a chameleon as he wants only money. "Those who are helpless for power cannot be Balasaheb's heirs," he said. The deputy CM said he will never compromise on Hindutva for power. "They consider BMC as golden goose. Mumbai and its importance is not under threat, but their politics and finances will come under threat as their soul is in the BMC treasury, while our soul is Hindutva. There will be no compromise on it,'' he said. Is Hindutva a T-shirt that you can wear or remove any time, he asked, referring to Thackeray's statement that he has not quit Hindutva. "Why do you hesitate to call Balasaheb as Hindu Hriday Samrat (emperor of Hindu hearts). You join hands with those who abuse (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Union minister Amit) Shah, who fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram temple and abrogation of Article 370, and with those who abuse Savarkar and Hindu religion,'' he said. He also mocked Uddhav Thackeray's ''kill me" remark and said mere talk is not enough. "You need a tiger's heart and strength in your wrist. How can we kill someone who is already dead? People of the state have already finished them in the assembly provoke me. If someone does that, I don't leave them. I have already upturned your horse carriage and taken away your horses," he said. Shinde questioned why Thackeray did not visit the families of the tourists killed in the Pahalgam attack. "Where were you? Where was your patriotism and love for Marathi that time?" he asked. After Operation Sindoor, Balasaheb would have praised PM Modi, whereas the Congress was questioning the armed forces and abusing him, he alleged. "Are you an Indian or a Pakistani agent? Pakistan uses your statements against India. Rahul Gandhi has become a hero in Pakistan but is a zero in India," he said. Shinde praised his son and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde and Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora for being part of the all-party delegation after Operation Sindoor. Just like the Ladki Bahin scheme, the party has launched a Ladki Soon (daughter-in-law) scheme and it will fight for women facing domestic abuse, he said. He said 50 former corporators of the undivided Shiv Sena have joined his party. "We will fight to win the local body elections. Decision on alliance will be taken at appropriate time," he said. "Balasaheb's ideology is our wealth," he said. Shinde asked his supporters not to get carried away by the assembly election results. "Get ready to win the local body elections," he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ex-corporators of Sena UBT hold meeting ahead of party's foundation day on Thursday
As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections draw closer, a section of former BMC corporators from the Shiv Sena (UBT) have urged party chief Uddhav Thackeray to consider forging an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), citing growing public sentiment among Marathi voters. The suggestion came during a meeting of former BMC corporators of Sena UBT at Matoshree, the residence of Thackerays in Bandra East, on Wednesday. The meeting of the corporators was convened ahead of 59th foundation day of Shiv Sena on Thursday. Both factions of the Shiv Sena are also set to hold the separate events in Mumbai. While the Shinde-led faction will host a large gathering at the NSCI Dome in Worli, the Sena (UBT) will continue its tradition by holding its event at the Shanmukhanand Hall in Sion. Uddhav and Shinde are both expected to pay tribute at Bal Thackeray's memorial at Shivaji Park earlier in the day, before addressing their respective cadres and sound a bugle for the upcoming civic body polls including the prestigious BMC. Speaking about the foundation day, Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said that 'the real Sena's foundation day–not the bogus Sena (Shinde led Sena)–would be celebrated at Shanmukhanand where party chief Uddhav Thackeray would clarify his stance on several issues. One of the former corporators who attended the meeting said they believed an alliance would strengthen the party's position in Mumbai and consolidate the Marathi vote base, especially in the face of pressure from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. 'All Marathi people want the MNS and Sena (UBT) to come together for the sake of the Marathi community,' a party functionary who attended the meeting said. 'Uddhavji asked us whether the Sena (UBT) should explore an alliance with the MNS. We told him the atmosphere is conducive — especially if the two brothers decide to join hands.' Former corporator Suresh Patil added that the alliance could bring about a 'sea change' in Maharashtra's political landscape. 'Uddhavji asked us broadly whether alliances would help. We told him this one would help us 100%. The public is ready for it,' he said. The BMC, Asia's richest municipal corporation, has been under an administrator since March 2022, with elections pending due to ward delimitation and OBC reservation issues. Polls are expected to be held later this year, possibly in October or November, and are widely seen as a key political test for both factions of the Shiv Sena following the 2022 split. Some corporators also expressed concern about attempts by rival parties to lure them away. 'There is pressure, yes, and there are calls. But we made it clear to Uddhavji that we're not falling for it,' said former Mumbai mayor Snehal Ambekar. She said Thackeray had urged them to continue groundwork in their wards, monitor boundary changes and reservation adjustments, and stay connected with local officials. The meeting also marked the return of former corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar, who had recently stepped down as a party office-bearer, signalling an effort to close ranks ahead of the civic polls. The buzz around a possible Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance has been building in since April this year when Raj Thackeray in a podcast said that he may set aside personal disputes for the sake of Marathi people. Since then, there is a series of rapprochement signals and efforts from Sena UBT, banners featuring Raj and Uddhav. calling for unity between the two leaders and even with both parties participating in joint agitations.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uddhav rallies Shiv Sena (UBT) cadre for BMC polls, pitches ‘Marathi pride'
MUMBAI: Amid a steady stream of defections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged his party's grassroots cadre in Mumbai to prepare for the upcoming civic elections by actively reaching out to voters and highlighting the party's three-decade performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Thackeray also indicated that the party would invoke the theme of 'Marathi pride' in the high-stakes BMC polls. Addressing a meeting of shakha pramukhs (local unit heads) at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar on Sunday, Thackeray made an emotive appeal to his loyalists. 'We must ensure that the saffron flag flies once again over the BMC,' he told the gathering. Taking a swipe at the BJP's national leadership, he said, 'Don't let two businessmen snatch the BMC from us.' Thackeray reiterated the party's emotional connect with Mumbai, referencing the sacrifices made during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. 'Mumbai is like our mother. We secured it only after 109 martyrs laid down their lives. We cannot let it fall into the hands of profiteers. We must ensure that the Assembly election results are not repeated in the BMC polls. All of you will have to work even harder now,' he told the cadre. Positioning himself against the BJP's central leadership while walking a cautious line, Thackeray clarified, 'I am not against Gujaratis. I am against the two businessmen at the Centre who want to control Mumbai. Huge sums of money are being used to lure leaders. But I have chosen to fight rather than bow down before them. They want to destroy Mumbai, but we will not let that happen.' He instructed shakha pramukhs to intensify outreach by visiting at least 300 households in each area and showcasing the party's developmental record in the BMC over the past 30 years. The Shiv Sena, which held control of the BMC for over three decades, had won 84 out of 227 seats in the 2017 elections. It had elected Mayor with the support from its former ally, the BJP, which had won 82 seats. The upcoming elections are expected to be a fierce contest between the two parties once again. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab said, 'Uddhavji has directed the cadre to consolidate efforts at the booth level, ensure voter registrations, and undertake intensive outreach. Workers have been asked to reach as many households as possible and highlight the party's governance track record in Mumbai.'
