Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray has alleged that the Narendra Modi administration has deserted Maharashtra and has apologised to the people for soliciting votes for the Prime Minister in previous elections.
Uddhav Thackeray and his Maha Vikas Aghadi ally and NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar addressed during a rally in Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur district, western Maharashtra, in favour of Satyajit Patil, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Hatkanangale seat.
Speaking about the circumstances under which his government fell in 2019, Mr Thackeray stated that the “Election Commission and the arbitrator (Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar), who were working as their (BJP’s) servants, gave their verdicts.”
“Now when PM Modi calls us fake Shiv Sena, he is putting pressure on the court,” added Mr. Thackeray.
Sharad Pawar claimed that during travels to Maharashtra, PM Modi solely criticises him and Uddhav Thackeray rather than discussing his goals for the state.
Mr Pawar further accused the Centre of abusing federal agencies, citing the arrests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in suspected corruption cases.
Mr Thackeray stated that since no one wanted to join hands with the BJP, the Shiv Sena established an alliance with it. The saffron party, on the other hand, took down the administration of a man whose family had sacrificed all, he remarked, referring to his government’s collapse in June 2022.
“I apologise for seeking votes for Narendra Modi (in the past) because his government has betrayed Maharashtra,” he said.
He further accused the BJP of utilising the Shiv Sena for Lok Sabha elections while planning to defeat its candidates in assembly elections.
“You used Shiv Sainiks in the Lok Sabha elections but defeated our candidates in the assembly elections.” “I’ve come to avenge it,” said Mr Thackeray, who left the BJP in 2019.
Mr Thackeray and Mr Pawar both took the stage at a rally in Kolhapur for Congress candidate Shahu Chhatrapati.
Mr. Pawar stated on the occasion that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about the country when he toured the states, whereas Indira Gandhi spoke about poverty reduction.
“But this Prime Minister cannot rest till he hits Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. I want to inform Modi ji that if you attack us and ignore major issues confronting the state and the country, the people of Maharashtra will give you a lesson.”
In his address, Mr Thackeray criticised PM Modi for dubbing Mr Pawar “bhatakti aatma,” citing Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s praise for Mr Pawar’s disaster management abilities.
