NEW DELHI: Months after the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Sena vs Sena fight continued as Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray held separate events in a show of strength on the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Addressing a rally in Mumbai, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said, “The ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray will never be betrayed.” Referring to the recent victory in Maharashtra assembly polls, Shinde took a jibe at Uddhav’s faction saying, “We contested 80 seats and won 60 seats. This victory is spectacular. Now tell me whose Shiv Sena is real. People have given their verdict on which Shiv Sena is the real one.” The Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 57 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
“We are the inheritors of Balasaheb’s legacy. People have put their seal on it,” Shinde declared.
Shinde criticised Sena (UBT) for departing from Bal Thackeray’s founding principles, stating they are “na ghar ka ghat ka”.
“Self-respect is more important than any position. There will be no compromise on Shiv Sena’s ideals and self-respect. The ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray will not be betrayed,” Shinde said.
Taking swipe at Uddhav, Shinde said, “You can’t fight polls sitting at home,” referencing his governance style from Matoshree residence during his 2019-2022 chief ministership.
Will show you what a wounded tiger can do: Uddhav
On the birth anniversary of his father Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav also claimed to be the party leader of “Shiv Sainiks”.
“I conducted this event to see how many people are with me. As long as you are Shiv Sainiks, I will be your party president,” he said.
In an indirect attack, Uddhav said, “We will teach a lesson to traitors. When someone will come and tell me that I have abandoned the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray, I will step aside.”
On the Maharashtra poll results, he said, “We are meeting like this for the first time after election results. The reults that came two months ago are not acceptable to me. Amit Shah came here and said that this victory (of Mahayuti) will show Uddhav Thackeray his place. I will show you what a wounded tiger can do.”
