News Analysis India

Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Prakash Ambedkar’s change in statements put Uddhav Thackeray on sticky wicket

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has formally cemented his party alliance with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, but Ambedkar is not firm on his commitment and that has put Uddhav Thackeray on a sticky wicket. 

    Prakash Ambedkar on Friday said that he is ready for an alliance with BJP as well if they meet his terms and conditions. Ambedkar said that in politics no one is untouchable and they are not averse to allying with BJP.

    “In politics, we do have differences of opinion but we are not permanent enemies of each other. We all are Indian. We are even ready to ally with BJP and RSS also if they abandon Manusmruti and follow the path of our ideology. BJP should work within the framework of the constitutions of India,” Prakash Ambedkar said.

    “Abandoning Manusmriti means RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should burn this manuscript in Nagpur and said that Manusmruti is the religious script of the Hindu religion. If they do this, then we will surely welcome the BJP RSS. They are not our enemy,” Ambedkar said.

    He also said that Sanjay Raut should not advise him on what statement he should make or not make. “I will surely accept and welcome the advice from Uddhav Thackeray. I made a statement about Sharad Pawar that was completely based on my past experience,” Ambedkar clarified.

    Sanjay Raut earlier said that Prakash Ambedkar has allied with Shiv Sena and it has officially announced.

    “Shiv Sena is part of Maha Vikas Aghadi where NCP chief Sharad Pawar is the main pillar. Prakash Ambedkar should think twice while making unsubstantial statements against Sharad Pawar when alliance talk is in progress,” Sanjay Raut said.

    NCP is not happy with Shiv Sena for tying with Prakash Ambedkar because of his fickle mind nature.

    “We have closely experienced Prakash Ambedkar and his strategy. He is not a man of word and always undermines others’ strength. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he demanded NCP’s traditional seat Baramti for his party candidate who will surely lose against the BJP. So, it is very difficult to understand whether Prakash Ambedkar works to help the BJP or secular parties like Congress and NCP. He always took the stand against NCP and Congress therefore it is very difficult to rely on him for a long-term alliance. Now, Uddhav Thackeray has to ensure his alliance with Ambedkar survives till the major elections,” he added, requesting anonymity.

    NEW DELHI: Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has formally cemented his party alliance with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, but Ambedkar is not firm on his commitment and that has put Uddhav Thackeray on a sticky wicket. 

    Prakash Ambedkar on Friday said that he is ready for an alliance with BJP as well if they meet his terms and conditions. Ambedkar said that in politics no one is untouchable and they are not averse to allying with BJP.

    “In politics, we do have differences of opinion but we are not permanent enemies of each other. We all are Indian. We are even ready to ally with BJP and RSS also if they abandon Manusmruti and follow the path of our ideology. BJP should work within the framework of the constitutions of India,” Prakash Ambedkar said.

    “Abandoning Manusmriti means RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should burn this manuscript in Nagpur and said that Manusmruti is the religious script of the Hindu religion. If they do this, then we will surely welcome the BJP RSS. They are not our enemy,” Ambedkar said.

    He also said that Sanjay Raut should not advise him on what statement he should make or not make. “I will surely accept and welcome the advice from Uddhav Thackeray. I made a statement about Sharad Pawar that was completely based on my past experience,” Ambedkar clarified.

    Sanjay Raut earlier said that Prakash Ambedkar has allied with Shiv Sena and it has officially announced.

    “Shiv Sena is part of Maha Vikas Aghadi where NCP chief Sharad Pawar is the main pillar. Prakash Ambedkar should think twice while making unsubstantial statements against Sharad Pawar when alliance talk is in progress,” Sanjay Raut said.

    NCP is not happy with Shiv Sena for tying with Prakash Ambedkar because of his fickle mind nature.

    “We have closely experienced Prakash Ambedkar and his strategy. He is not a man of word and always undermines others’ strength. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he demanded NCP’s traditional seat Baramti for his party candidate who will surely lose against the BJP. So, it is very difficult to understand whether Prakash Ambedkar works to help the BJP or secular parties like Congress and NCP. He always took the stand against NCP and Congress therefore it is very difficult to rely on him for a long-term alliance. Now, Uddhav Thackeray has to ensure his alliance with Ambedkar survives till the major elections,” he added, requesting anonymity.

  • Border row: Meeting in Delhi achieved nothing, favoured Karnataka, claims Uddhav

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that nothing came out of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka over the border dispute.

    Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with his Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and NCP, he also said it was difficult to believe that some tweets from the verified handle of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the issue were not actually posted by him.

    “What was achieved by yesterday’s meeting of Union home minister Amit Shah with chief ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka? It was rubbing of salt into our wounds. As always, the deliberations favoured Karnataka,” Thackeray said.

    The former chief minister demanded to know why Karnataka holds legislature sessions in Belagavi (the north Karnataka city which is the main bone of contention between the two states) and accorded it the status of second capital when the border dispute was before the Supreme Court.

    ”Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani and other surrounding areas (of northern Karnataka) want to join Maharashtra. Why are there no answers to this demand,” he asked.

    He also sought to know why the Karnataka chief minister waited till Wednesday’s meeting in Delhi to clarify that some ‘fake’ Twitter handles were posting tweets in his name that fuelled tensions.

    “What action has been taken till now? Is it believable?” he asked.

    The MVA meeting was attended by NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan.

    On a protest march organised by the MVA on Saturday in Mumbai, Thackeray said “all those who love Maharashtra should join it.”

    READ HERE | Karnataka, Maharashtra arm-wrestle over border areas

    Issues such as the border dispute with Karnataka, `insult’ of Maharashtrian icons and industrial projects going to other states would be highlighted during the march which will start from J J Flyover and end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai, Pawar and Thackeray said.

    Union minister Shah met the chief ministers of the two states on Wednesday after violence flared up in the border region where Maharashtra has staked claim on 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka besides Belagavi.

    Of late, Karnataka too has staked claims to south Solapur and Akkalkote regions of Maharashtra, that have a sizeable Kannada speaking population.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that nothing came out of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka over the border dispute.

    Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with his Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and NCP, he also said it was difficult to believe that some tweets from the verified handle of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the issue were not actually posted by him.

    “What was achieved by yesterday’s meeting of Union home minister Amit Shah with chief ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka? It was rubbing of salt into our wounds. As always, the deliberations favoured Karnataka,” Thackeray said.

    The former chief minister demanded to know why Karnataka holds legislature sessions in Belagavi (the north Karnataka city which is the main bone of contention between the two states) and accorded it the status of second capital when the border dispute was before the Supreme Court.

    ”Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani and other surrounding areas (of northern Karnataka) want to join Maharashtra. Why are there no answers to this demand,” he asked.

    He also sought to know why the Karnataka chief minister waited till Wednesday’s meeting in Delhi to clarify that some ‘fake’ Twitter handles were posting tweets in his name that fuelled tensions.

    “What action has been taken till now? Is it believable?” he asked.

    The MVA meeting was attended by NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan.

    On a protest march organised by the MVA on Saturday in Mumbai, Thackeray said “all those who love Maharashtra should join it.”

    READ HERE | Karnataka, Maharashtra arm-wrestle over border areas

    Issues such as the border dispute with Karnataka, `insult’ of Maharashtrian icons and industrial projects going to other states would be highlighted during the march which will start from J J Flyover and end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai, Pawar and Thackeray said.

    Union minister Shah met the chief ministers of the two states on Wednesday after violence flared up in the border region where Maharashtra has staked claim on 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka besides Belagavi.

    Of late, Karnataka too has staked claims to south Solapur and Akkalkote regions of Maharashtra, that have a sizeable Kannada speaking population.

  • Completely unconstitutional govt run in Maharashtra: Uddhav faction; SC to hear pleas on Jan 13

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that a “completely unconstitutional government is being run” in Maharashtra.

    A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said it will hear a batch of petitions on the Maharashtra political crisis on January 13 as it will not be possible for the five-judge Constitution bench to sit next week, which will be for miscellaneous matters.

    It said, “In next week it won’t be possible to take up the matter as it will be a miscellaneous week.

    It will not be possible for five judges to sit in a constitution bench during next week.

    We will take up the matter on January 13, 2023.”

    The top court made the remark after senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the Uddhav faction said, “There is some urgency in the matter as a completely unconstitutional government is being run in the state.”

    The bench said that on January 13, it will take up the matter.

    Kamat requested the court to at least keep the matters for directions and the hearing may commence on January 13.

    The bench said, “Yes, we will commence the hearing on that day.”

    On November 1, the top court had said that it will hear the batch of pleas on the Maharashtra political crisis filed by the Shiv Sena factions led by Thackeray and Eknath Shinde on November 29, when it is likely to issue some directions.

    The five-judge bench headed by the CJI had asked both parties to file their written submissions and a joint compilation on the issues to be adjudicated by the constitution bench.

    On August 23, a three-judge bench of the top court headed by then chief justice N V Ramana had formulated several questions of law and referred to a five-judge bench the petitions filed by the factions raising several constitutional questions related to defection, merger and disqualification.

    The top court had ordered the listing of petitions before the constitution bench and directed the Election Commission not to pass any orders on the Shinde faction’s plea that it be considered the real Shiv Sena and granted the party’s poll symbol.

    It had said the batch of petitions raise important constitutional issues relating to the 10th schedule of the Constitution pertaining to disqualification, power of the Speaker and Governor and judicial review.

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that a “completely unconstitutional government is being run” in Maharashtra.

    A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said it will hear a batch of petitions on the Maharashtra political crisis on January 13 as it will not be possible for the five-judge Constitution bench to sit next week, which will be for miscellaneous matters.

    It said, “In next week it won’t be possible to take up the matter as it will be a miscellaneous week.

    It will not be possible for five judges to sit in a constitution bench during next week.

    We will take up the matter on January 13, 2023.”

    The top court made the remark after senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the Uddhav faction said, “There is some urgency in the matter as a completely unconstitutional government is being run in the state.”

    The bench said that on January 13, it will take up the matter.

    Kamat requested the court to at least keep the matters for directions and the hearing may commence on January 13.

    The bench said, “Yes, we will commence the hearing on that day.”

    On November 1, the top court had said that it will hear the batch of pleas on the Maharashtra political crisis filed by the Shiv Sena factions led by Thackeray and Eknath Shinde on November 29, when it is likely to issue some directions.

    The five-judge bench headed by the CJI had asked both parties to file their written submissions and a joint compilation on the issues to be adjudicated by the constitution bench.

    On August 23, a three-judge bench of the top court headed by then chief justice N V Ramana had formulated several questions of law and referred to a five-judge bench the petitions filed by the factions raising several constitutional questions related to defection, merger and disqualification.

    The top court had ordered the listing of petitions before the constitution bench and directed the Election Commission not to pass any orders on the Shinde faction’s plea that it be considered the real Shiv Sena and granted the party’s poll symbol.

    It had said the batch of petitions raise important constitutional issues relating to the 10th schedule of the Constitution pertaining to disqualification, power of the Speaker and Governor and judicial review.

  • BJP minister’s comparison of Shinde’s revolt with Shivaji’s escape from Agra draws flak

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha stoked another controversy on Wednesday by comparing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s revolt against Uddhav Thackeray to Shivaji Maharaj’s grand escape from the Agra fort.

    During celebrations at the Pratap Fort, tourism minister Prabhat Lodha recalled how Shivaji Maharaj was imprisoned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Agra, but managed to slip away by hoodwinking Aurangzeb. He said Eknath Shinde had in the same way escaped from the clutches of Uddhav Thackeray and formed the government with the BJP. It was like Shivaji had formed the Hindavi Swaraj all those years ago, Lodha added.

    The opposition was quick to pounce on Lodha for comparing Shivaji’s great escape with that of CM Shinde’s revolt.

    With the statement coming just days after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari termed Shivaji an ‘olden-times’ icon, they alleged that these constituted systematic attempts by the BJP and those affiliated with the saffron party to diminish the stature of the Great Maratha king.

    Leader of Opposition and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar said the BJP should rein in such motormouths who make one controversial statement or the other against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and disturb the social atmosphere in the state.

    “After Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Sigh Koshyari’s controversial and defamatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, BJP should restrain others from making such statements, but they continue to stir fresh controversies. How come he (the Governor) can compare Eknath Shinde’s revolt against Uddhav Thackeray with Shivaji Maharaj’s historic Agra escape? BJP should stop all this nonsense,” Pawar said.  

    Crucially, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale, skipped the Shivaji Maharaj function at Pratap Fort chaired by Maharashtra CM Shinde.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra Governor Koshyari ready to quit over Shivaji remarks: BJP leaders

    Udayan Raje Bhosale is reportedly unhappy with the BJP for the lack of action against the Governor and the BJP’s national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi. Bhosale had even broken down before media persons. Trivedi, according to the NCP, had claimed that the founder of the Maratha empire had apologised to Aurangzeb on five occasions.    

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule tried to defuse the situation by saying he shared Udayan Raje Bhosale’s sentiments. Bawankule said he agreed that Governor Koshyari was wrong in calling Shivaji Maharaj an “olden-times” icon.

    “However, the Governor’s is a constitutional post and removing the governor is not in our hands. The concerned authority will take the call over it. We are not here to defend the Governor, but we should also understand this is not a deliberate error by the Governor,” Bawankule said.

    Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that Udayan Raje Bhosale’s sense of hurt has been conveyed to people at the right places.

    What happened in Agra all those years ago

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj were sent a letter and invited by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for the latter’s 50th birthday. It was a ploy and on arrival, Shivaji and his son Sambhaji were imprisoned.

    Once in jail, the Maratha king was always under guard with at least 1000 men on duty. But a little over three months later, Shivaji Maharaj escaped from the Agra fort in sweet boxes after hoodwinking the Mughal king on August 17, 1666. His half-brother Hiroji Farzand played a big part in the escape, standing in for Shivaji by covering himself in a quilt and by slipping in on Shivaji’s gold wristlet on to his outstretched right arm. This ensured that the guards were fooled long enough to enable the great Maratha king to make his way to freedom.

    MUMBAI: BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha stoked another controversy on Wednesday by comparing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s revolt against Uddhav Thackeray to Shivaji Maharaj’s grand escape from the Agra fort.

    During celebrations at the Pratap Fort, tourism minister Prabhat Lodha recalled how Shivaji Maharaj was imprisoned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Agra, but managed to slip away by hoodwinking Aurangzeb. He said Eknath Shinde had in the same way escaped from the clutches of Uddhav Thackeray and formed the government with the BJP. It was like Shivaji had formed the Hindavi Swaraj all those years ago, Lodha added.

    The opposition was quick to pounce on Lodha for comparing Shivaji’s great escape with that of CM Shinde’s revolt.

    With the statement coming just days after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari termed Shivaji an ‘olden-times’ icon, they alleged that these constituted systematic attempts by the BJP and those affiliated with the saffron party to diminish the stature of the Great Maratha king.

    Leader of Opposition and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar said the BJP should rein in such motormouths who make one controversial statement or the other against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and disturb the social atmosphere in the state.

    “After Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Sigh Koshyari’s controversial and defamatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, BJP should restrain others from making such statements, but they continue to stir fresh controversies. How come he (the Governor) can compare Eknath Shinde’s revolt against Uddhav Thackeray with Shivaji Maharaj’s historic Agra escape? BJP should stop all this nonsense,” Pawar said.  

    Crucially, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale, skipped the Shivaji Maharaj function at Pratap Fort chaired by Maharashtra CM Shinde.

    ALSO READ | Maharashtra Governor Koshyari ready to quit over Shivaji remarks: BJP leaders

    Udayan Raje Bhosale is reportedly unhappy with the BJP for the lack of action against the Governor and the BJP’s national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi. Bhosale had even broken down before media persons. Trivedi, according to the NCP, had claimed that the founder of the Maratha empire had apologised to Aurangzeb on five occasions.    

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule tried to defuse the situation by saying he shared Udayan Raje Bhosale’s sentiments. Bawankule said he agreed that Governor Koshyari was wrong in calling Shivaji Maharaj an “olden-times” icon.

    “However, the Governor’s is a constitutional post and removing the governor is not in our hands. The concerned authority will take the call over it. We are not here to defend the Governor, but we should also understand this is not a deliberate error by the Governor,” Bawankule said.

    Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that Udayan Raje Bhosale’s sense of hurt has been conveyed to people at the right places.

    What happened in Agra all those years ago

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj were sent a letter and invited by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for the latter’s 50th birthday. It was a ploy and on arrival, Shivaji and his son Sambhaji were imprisoned.

    Once in jail, the Maratha king was always under guard with at least 1000 men on duty. But a little over three months later, Shivaji Maharaj escaped from the Agra fort in sweet boxes after hoodwinking the Mughal king on August 17, 1666. His half-brother Hiroji Farzand played a big part in the escape, standing in for Shivaji by covering himself in a quilt and by slipping in on Shivaji’s gold wristlet on to his outstretched right arm. This ensured that the guards were fooled long enough to enable the great Maratha king to make his way to freedom.

  • Shinde faction hits back at Uddhav, threatens to reveal  ‘khokhe in fridge’

    Express News Service

    MUMB AI:  Responding to ‘khokhe sarkar’ remark, Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has threatened Uddhav Thackeray with revealing all details about ‘khokhe’ in the fridge box and where it has gone.

    Opposition, particularly Uddhav Thackeray factions have cornered the Shinde camp over Khokhe Sarkar’s jibe. Khokhe means immoral money. It was alleged that BJP paid Rs 50 crore to each of Eknath Shinde’s 41 MLAs who overthrew Uddhav Thackeray’s government. This operation lotus has been referred to as ‘khokhe, and the incumbent Shinde-Fadnavis government as a ‘khokhe sarkar.’ 

    Uddhav Thackeray, addressing the public rally in Vidarbha, said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government is infamous as “khokhe sarkar.” He said, “Even Bachchu Kadu , an independent MLA, said that at weddings and social gatherings, people talk about the khokhe joke, and that this is inappropriate, humiliating, and damaging to the image he has carved over the last several years. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to ridiculing anyone. He asserted that they will no longer tolerate such low level and damaging remarks against their government.

    “We will also probe where the khokhe went through the fridge box? We will reveal all the details about it. Has the boxes from the container gone through the fridge boxes? The entire state of Maharashtra knows who can take these boxes and is capable of doing so.

    One day, all things will come into the limelight,” Shinde warned. The Shinde camp claimed that Uddhav Thackeray used to take and transport money (Kokhe) through refrigerator boxes at secure locations. Shinde camp MLA Deepak Kesarkar alleged that one day they will also reveal who has taken money through the fridge box.

    “There is a limit to lying about Khokhe? We have not taken a single penny from anyone. Uddhav Thackeray has lost his government due to his own fault; therefore, he has been making such baseless allegations against us,” Kesarkar said. Earlier, the Shinde camp also alleged that if anyone calls them khokhe sarkar, then they may file defamation cases against them.

    MUMB AI:  Responding to ‘khokhe sarkar’ remark, Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has threatened Uddhav Thackeray with revealing all details about ‘khokhe’ in the fridge box and where it has gone.

    Opposition, particularly Uddhav Thackeray factions have cornered the Shinde camp over Khokhe Sarkar’s jibe. Khokhe means immoral money. It was alleged that BJP paid Rs 50 crore to each of Eknath Shinde’s 41 MLAs who overthrew Uddhav Thackeray’s government. This operation lotus has been referred to as ‘khokhe, and the incumbent Shinde-Fadnavis government as a ‘khokhe sarkar.’ 

    Uddhav Thackeray, addressing the public rally in Vidarbha, said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government is infamous as “khokhe sarkar.” He said, “Even Bachchu Kadu , an independent MLA, said that at weddings and social gatherings, people talk about the khokhe joke, and that this is inappropriate, humiliating, and damaging to the image he has carved over the last several years. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to ridiculing anyone. He asserted that they will no longer tolerate such low level and damaging remarks against their government.

    “We will also probe where the khokhe went through the fridge box? We will reveal all the details about it. Has the boxes from the container gone through the fridge boxes? The entire state of Maharashtra knows who can take these boxes and is capable of doing so.

    One day, all things will come into the limelight,” Shinde warned. The Shinde camp claimed that Uddhav Thackeray used to take and transport money (Kokhe) through refrigerator boxes at secure locations. Shinde camp MLA Deepak Kesarkar alleged that one day they will also reveal who has taken money through the fridge box.

    “There is a limit to lying about Khokhe? We have not taken a single penny from anyone. Uddhav Thackeray has lost his government due to his own fault; therefore, he has been making such baseless allegations against us,” Kesarkar said. Earlier, the Shinde camp also alleged that if anyone calls them khokhe sarkar, then they may file defamation cases against them.

  • Savarkar row: Uddhav must dump Cong over Rahul’s remarks, says Union Minister Danve

    By PTI

    JALNA: Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Raosaheb Danve on Saturday said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray must break his party’s alliance with the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter VD Savarkar.

    Rahul Gandhi, whose Bharat Jodo Yatra is currently passing through Maharashtra, on Thursday held a press conference at Wadegaon in Akola district, where he claimed Savarkar helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear, thereby betraying Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders of the freedom struggle.

    “Thackeray and his son Aaditya must announce if they intend to break the alliance with the Congress. Balasaheb Thackeray spread the message of Swatantryaveer Savarkar across Maharashtra, and now his son and grandson are sitting with a party that insults the freedom fighter,” Danve told reporters.

    Slamming Rahul Gandhi, the Union minister said, “Such statements have come from a person who has no knowledge of history or its great personalities. The BJP accepts the ideology of Savarkar. He is in our thoughts, our minds, and our conduct. He is ours.”

    The Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party constitute the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which ruled the state till June 29 this year.

    JALNA: Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Raosaheb Danve on Saturday said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray must break his party’s alliance with the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter VD Savarkar.

    Rahul Gandhi, whose Bharat Jodo Yatra is currently passing through Maharashtra, on Thursday held a press conference at Wadegaon in Akola district, where he claimed Savarkar helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear, thereby betraying Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders of the freedom struggle.

    “Thackeray and his son Aaditya must announce if they intend to break the alliance with the Congress. Balasaheb Thackeray spread the message of Swatantryaveer Savarkar across Maharashtra, and now his son and grandson are sitting with a party that insults the freedom fighter,” Danve told reporters.

    Slamming Rahul Gandhi, the Union minister said, “Such statements have come from a person who has no knowledge of history or its great personalities. The BJP accepts the ideology of Savarkar. He is in our thoughts, our minds, and our conduct. He is ours.”

    The Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party constitute the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which ruled the state till June 29 this year.

  • Rahul didn’t target Savarkar, only mentioned fact; remarks won’t affect MVA: Congress

    Gandhi, during a press conference at Wadegaon in Akola district on Thursday, had alleged that Savarkar had helped the British and written a mercy petition to them out of fear.

  • I don’t approve of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Savarkar: Uddhav

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, on Thursday said his party has immense respect for V D Savarkar and he does not approve of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the freedom fighter.

    Talking to reporters here, Thackeray also asked why the Centre has not conferred the Bharat Ratna on Savarkar.

    “We do not approve of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Savarkar. We have immense respect and faith for Swatyantra Veer Savarkar and it cannot be erased,” he said.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has an alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. His son and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray participated in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra last week.

    During a rally in Washim district on Tuesday organised as part of his yatra, Rahul said Savarkar is a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    “He was jailed in Andaman for two, three years. He started writing mercy petitions,” the Congress MP had said.

    The former Congress president had claimed Savarkar wrote a book on himself with a different name and highlighted how brave he was.

    “He used to take pensions from the British, work for them, and work against the Congress,” Gandhi had said.

    Following this, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction.

    Responding to it, Uddhav Thackeray said, “It is laughable when parents or their progeny (apparently referring to the RSS and BJP) who have no connection with the freedom struggle express love for Savarkar.”

    He said the RSS is completing 100 years, but it was not a part of the freedom struggle. They don’t have the right to talk about Savarkar, he added.

    “Savarkar who made sacrifices for freedom – the same freedom needs to be protected today,” the former CM said.

    “You ask us questions when Rahul Gandhi says something about Savarkar,” he commented.

    “I had asked this in the Vidhan Sabha that is this patriotism when you sit next to the PDP (People’s Democratic Party led by Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu and Kashmir) that does not even give a call of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ or sing ‘Vande Mataram’,” Uddhav Thackeray said, referring to the alliance between the BJP and PDP in 2015.

    MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, on Thursday said his party has immense respect for V D Savarkar and he does not approve of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the freedom fighter.

    Talking to reporters here, Thackeray also asked why the Centre has not conferred the Bharat Ratna on Savarkar.

    “We do not approve of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Savarkar. We have immense respect and faith for Swatyantra Veer Savarkar and it cannot be erased,” he said.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has an alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. His son and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray participated in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra last week.

    During a rally in Washim district on Tuesday organised as part of his yatra, Rahul said Savarkar is a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    “He was jailed in Andaman for two, three years. He started writing mercy petitions,” the Congress MP had said.

    The former Congress president had claimed Savarkar wrote a book on himself with a different name and highlighted how brave he was.

    “He used to take pensions from the British, work for them, and work against the Congress,” Gandhi had said.

    Following this, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction.

    Responding to it, Uddhav Thackeray said, “It is laughable when parents or their progeny (apparently referring to the RSS and BJP) who have no connection with the freedom struggle express love for Savarkar.”

    He said the RSS is completing 100 years, but it was not a part of the freedom struggle. They don’t have the right to talk about Savarkar, he added.

    “Savarkar who made sacrifices for freedom – the same freedom needs to be protected today,” the former CM said.

    “You ask us questions when Rahul Gandhi says something about Savarkar,” he commented.

    “I had asked this in the Vidhan Sabha that is this patriotism when you sit next to the PDP (People’s Democratic Party led by Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu and Kashmir) that does not even give a call of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ or sing ‘Vande Mataram’,” Uddhav Thackeray said, referring to the alliance between the BJP and PDP in 2015.

  • Shinde govt came into being due to corruption and fear, alleges Maharashtra Congress chief Patole

    By PTI

    NANDED: Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Sunday alleged that the Eknath Shinde-led government in the state came into existence due to corruption and out of fear.

    Addressing a press conference here, Patole also claimed that the expansion of the state cabinet was not being done because the government can collapse.

    “Why is the chief minister not going for cabinet expansion? It is because this government can collapse. This regime came into existence due to corruption and fear. One cabinet minister is in charge of six districts. What is happening in Maharashtra?” he asked.

    Patole said CM Shinde keeps blaming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) all the time.

    READ MORE | Bonhomie between BJP, Shinde faction, and MNS increases, will it translate into new political alignment in Maha?

    “But he along with many of the existing ministers were part of the MVA,” the Congress leader added.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government collapsed on June 29 this year following a revolt by 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, led by Shinde, against the party leadership.

    The next day, Shinde took oath as the chief minister with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis becoming his deputy.

    The first cabinet expansion of this government took place on August 9, forty days after Shinde became the CM.

    The state council of ministers at present has 18 cabinet ministers, including Shinde. There are nine ministers each from the Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena and its ally BJP. The council of ministers can have up to 43 members in Maharashtra.

    NANDED: Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Sunday alleged that the Eknath Shinde-led government in the state came into existence due to corruption and out of fear.

    Addressing a press conference here, Patole also claimed that the expansion of the state cabinet was not being done because the government can collapse.

    “Why is the chief minister not going for cabinet expansion? It is because this government can collapse. This regime came into existence due to corruption and fear. One cabinet minister is in charge of six districts. What is happening in Maharashtra?” he asked.

    Patole said CM Shinde keeps blaming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) all the time.

    READ MORE | Bonhomie between BJP, Shinde faction, and MNS increases, will it translate into new political alignment in Maha?

    “But he along with many of the existing ministers were part of the MVA,” the Congress leader added.

    The Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government collapsed on June 29 this year following a revolt by 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, led by Shinde, against the party leadership.

    The next day, Shinde took oath as the chief minister with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis becoming his deputy.

    The first cabinet expansion of this government took place on August 9, forty days after Shinde became the CM.

    The state council of ministers at present has 18 cabinet ministers, including Shinde. There are nine ministers each from the Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena and its ally BJP. The council of ministers can have up to 43 members in Maharashtra.

  • Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where many people are out to “destroy” each other.

    Raut said he realised this again after coming out of jail on November 9. The Rajya Sabha member was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on August 1 this year and granted bail by a court in Mumbai on November 9.

    On Sunday, he resumed his weekly column Rokhthok in ‘Saamana’, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction’s mouthpiece of which he is the executive editor.

    ”There is a feeling of hatred and politicians have now reached a stage where they don’t want their opponents even to be alive. Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where people are out to destroy to each other,” Raut claimed.

    “When I was asked about (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis’s comment that bitterness in politics has to end, I replied that he is speaking the truth and media started saying I have toned down,” the Sena leader said.

    “Democracy and freedom do not exist now, these are merely names now. Politics has become poisonous. It was not so during the British rule,” Raut claimed.

    “Today’s rulers in Delhi want to hear what they wish. Those who don’t do that are considered enemies,” he further claimed.

    “China and Pakistan are not Delhi’s enemies, but those who speak the truth and are straight are treated as enemies and such political leaders lower the country’s stature,” he added.READ | My arrest was political, such ‘vendetta politics’ never seen earlier: Sanjay Raut

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where many people are out to “destroy” each other.

    Raut said he realised this again after coming out of jail on November 9. The Rajya Sabha member was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on August 1 this year and granted bail by a court in Mumbai on November 9.

    On Sunday, he resumed his weekly column Rokhthok in ‘Saamana’, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction’s mouthpiece of which he is the executive editor.

    ”There is a feeling of hatred and politicians have now reached a stage where they don’t want their opponents even to be alive. Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where people are out to destroy to each other,” Raut claimed.

    “When I was asked about (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis’s comment that bitterness in politics has to end, I replied that he is speaking the truth and media started saying I have toned down,” the Sena leader said.

    “Democracy and freedom do not exist now, these are merely names now. Politics has become poisonous. It was not so during the British rule,” Raut claimed.

    “Today’s rulers in Delhi want to hear what they wish. Those who don’t do that are considered enemies,” he further claimed.

    “China and Pakistan are not Delhi’s enemies, but those who speak the truth and are straight are treated as enemies and such political leaders lower the country’s stature,” he added.READ | My arrest was political, such ‘vendetta politics’ never seen earlier: Sanjay Raut