MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of attempting to eliminate all other political entities and striving for a scenario with "only one party and no election." The former Maharashtra Chief Minister warned that if MPs and MLAs continue to be poached through such "Operations," his party would also resort to "Operation Kamal" (Lotus).
Uddhav's Concerns Over Democracy
Thackeray expressed that the country was drifting toward anarchy, with citizens losing faith in democratic processes. He asserted, "The BJP doesn’t have a two-thirds majority, but two-thirds of the BJP is now composed of imports from other parties." He also issued an apology to voters who had elected MPs who later defected, noting that nine of his party's MPs were elected against the Modi wave without using Modi’s face. "They stole one seat from us," he lamented.
Emotional Offer to Resign
In an emotional address, Thackeray offered to step down as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief. "I have no desire for leadership. I am ready to step down as Shiv Sena chief if allegations are made. The only condition is that this golden Shiv Sena should not be given to robbers and traitors. Otherwise, I’m not shaken and will not get bogged down. I will stand like a mountain and fulfil my responsibilities," he declared.
Thackeray also dismissed claims that his party would merge with the Congress. "If for 30 years we were with the BJP and we didn’t merge with the BJP, how will we merge with Congress? So those who are saying this are lying," he added.
60th Anniversary Celebration
Addressing the Sena (UBT)’s 60th anniversary celebration at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion on Friday evening, Thackeray made his first public appearance after the recent defection of six Lok Sabha MPs. His son, MLA Aaditya Thackeray, and wife Rashmi were present, along with loyal MPs Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waze. The event included felicitation of these MPs.
"Some people must be thinking we will lose hope. But we will not. Some people are saying give orders. Balasaheb has given an order earlier (bury those who betray us). We should not judge our success by electoral results. Today, I apologise to voters because they voted for us but our MPs left," Thackeray said.
Criticism of BJP's Tactics
When Thackeray offered to resign, Shiv Sainiks raised slogans urging him to continue. He criticized the BJP for its tactics, saying, "I am not a fortune teller. I do not believe in astrology at all. What will be the future of a country where the youth are called cockroaches? Elections are being won and positions are being obtained by doing whatever they want. Even if you have a majority and there are local self-government body polls, you do not want to let anyone contest from the other side."
He questioned the BJP's motives: "Why are you doing this? What are you going to do with the country after getting all this? (Former BJP President JP) Nadda had said that there will be only one party. One Nation, One Election… but their path is moving towards One Party, No Election." Thackeray urged Shiv Sainiks to hold defecting MPs accountable, saying, "You have worked hard to get them elected. Now you should use your right to hold them accountable. Farmers donated money and these candidates won. Don’t wait for my order… hold them accountable."
Rejection of Merger Rumors
Thackeray reiterated that the idea of merging Sena (UBT) with Congress was completely wrong. On the contrary, he suggested that the BJP would eventually join Shinde’s Sena. "Shiv Sena was not born to merge. Rather, it was born for the rights and protection of the Marathi people and Hindutva. Congress also persecuted us. More than half of our life has been spent in enmity with Congress. We had extreme enmity."
He also hit back at defecting MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who claimed Thackeray was not campaigning due to health issues. "It was said that I do not meet (people), I do not travel. So if I was not coming to campaign, how did you (Omraje Nimbalkar) get elected? I had held many meetings in each constituency… around 8-10 meetings for the Lok Sabha campaign. Then these people got elected. Where will you atone for these sins? How will you erase the stamp of betrayal from your forehead?" Thackeray asked.
