Unsure of LS Poll Victory, BJP Trying to 'Steal' a Thackeray: Uddhav on MNS Chief-Amit Shah Meeting – News18

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP on Tuesday of trying to “claim” a “Thackeray” to win in the upcoming generall elections. The remarks follow a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s criticism of the BJP comes after Raj Thackeray’s meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, amid speculation that the saffron party is aiming to forge an alliance with him for the Lok Sabha polls to strengthen its position in Maharashtra.

Speaking at a gathering in Nanded district, Uddhav Thackeray stated that he was not bothered if the BJP took his estranged cousin.

“BJP knows very well that they don’t get votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi in Maharashtra. People vote here in the name of (Bal) Thackeray. This realisation prompted the BJP to try to steal leaders from outside (BJP fold),” he said.

Accusing the BJP of attempting to claim the legacy of Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray stated, ” First, they stole the photo of Bal Thackeray, but it doesn’t matter. Today, they are trying to steal another Thackeray….take it, I and my people are enough,” as he concluded his two-day tour of Nanded and Hingoli districts in the Marathwada region.

Uddhav Thackeray, whose party is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and INDIA bloc, said that even Christians and Muslims do not have any objections to his version of Hindutva.

“The image of Shiv Sena (undivided) was getting sullied when we were with the BJP. But since we severed ties with them, even members of Christian and Muslim communities are saying that they have no issues with our Hindutva ideology,” he added.

Raj Thackeray separated from the Shiv Sena, when it was undivided, because of disagreements with Uddhav, and established the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in 2006. Despite being recognised as a compelling speaker with a dedicated following, his MNS did not achieve significant influence. His contentious remarks against North Indians in the past provoked strong condemnation from leaders of different political parties, including the BJP.