Last Update: March 06, 2023, 16:59 IST
Uddhav Thackeray was forced to resign as Maharashtra chief minister last June after Shinde rebelled, claiming the support of 40 of the Shiv Sena’s 56 MLAs and 13 of its 18 Lok Sabha members. (Photo: PTI)
The former Chief Minister said that the Election Commission is not trying to break the Shiv Sena, but “you are trying to break the unity of Hindus, Marathi Manus”.
Uddhav Thackeray targets BJP in his first public rally after losing party name and symbol Election Commission, BJP and Shinde faction.
Targeting the BJP, he said that one does not get freedom by sprinkling cow urine. Did our country get freedom by sprinkling cow urine? Did it happen that cow urine was sprinkled and we got freedom? This was not the case. Freedom fighters sacrificed their lives and then we got freedom,” he said at the massive rally.
Challenging the Election Commission’s decision to hand over the party name and symbol to Eknath Shinde, he said he would never accept the move.
He said, ‘You can steal Shiv Sena’s election symbol and party name, but you cannot steal the party. I want to give a message to all those who are gone. I specially want to say to the Election Commission that if you do not have cataract in your eye, then you should come and see what Shiv Sena is. This is the ‘Elect Commission’. They do not deserve to be in the form of Election Commission as they are slaves of the Centre.
Thackeray said, ‘The basis on which he has claimed that Shiv Sena belongs to him is wrong. I can say this because Shiv Sena was formed by my father and not by the Election Commission.
The former chief minister said the Election Commission was not trying to break the Shiv Sena, but “you are trying to break the unity of Hindus ki Marathi manush”.
Targeting the BJP, he said, ‘Even the dog did not know about the BJP. This was the time when Balasaheb Thackeray was standing behind him. They are behaving so rudely now. First eliminate those who once supported you, I dare you to try. We do not accept the decision of the Election Commission. I will continue to call it Shiv Sena.
‘Don’t steal my father’
Addressing his supporters, Thackeray said, “Sardar Patel banned the RSS, they stole the name of Sardar Patel.” Similarly, they stole Subhash Chandra Bose and did the same with Balasaheb Thackeray. I challenge them to seek votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi and not in the name of Shiv Sena. Ask for votes without Balasaheb Thackeray’s photo.
He said: “People will have to decide whether they want me or Eknath Shinde. I will accept the verdict of the people but not of the Election Commission. If people say they don’t want me, I will leave the way I left ‘Varsha’ (the official residence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after resigning from the post).
Thackeray said that earlier BJP’s platform used to be full of sadhus and saints, but now it is full of opportunists. He said, ‘I challenge the BJP to ask for votes only in the name of the Prime Minister in Maharashtra. Narendra Modi Not Balasaheb Thackeray.
Meanwhile, the BJP hit back at Thackeray, claiming it was an attempt to appease minority communities. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis downplayed the rally, saying Thackeray did not utter a single new word.
read all latest politics news Here