Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has launched a scathing attack on the BJP, denouncing its strategy of undermining opposition parties as unsustainable. Thackeray’s remarks come in response to the BJP’s initial candidate list for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which sparked controversy with the inclusion of figures like Kripashankar Singh, previously embroiled in money laundering allegations.
Expressing surprise at the absence of senior leaders like Nitin Gadkari from the BJP’s candidate list, Thackeray asserted that the politics of dismantling opposition parties is bound to fail. Without directly naming the BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he emphasized the need for sincerity in political discourse, suggesting that hollow promises should be replaced with genuine guarantees.
Thackeray highlighted his past collaboration with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, underscoring Gadkari’s instrumental role in expediting crucial infrastructure projects like the Mumbai-Pune expressway. He also questioned the inclusion of Kripashankar Singh, whose political journey has been marred by controversies, including his defection from the Congress to the BJP.
In response to Thackeray’s criticism, Kripashankar Singh dismissed it, questioning the political credibility of someone lacking their own political party. Singh’s remarks underscore the ongoing tensions between Shiv Sena and BJP, emblematic of the shifting dynamics within Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut took aim at Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) over Singh’s inclusion in the BJP’s candidate list. Raut raised doubts about the BJP’s commitment to governance standards, citing Fadnavis’s previous assertions about prosecuting leaders like Ajit Pawar and Singh.
Looking ahead, Raut emphasized the importance of unity between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) to counter the BJP’s political machinations. The MVA coalition, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, seeks to thwart any potential authoritarian rule post-2024 through strategic collaboration with like-minded political entities.
Thackeray’s critique of BJP’s political maneuvers reflects a broader narrative of opposition unity against divisive tactics, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle in Maharashtra and beyond.
