In a fiery public address, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray launched a blistering offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, accusing it of political ingratitude, arrogance, and the systematic misuse of investigative agencies to influence elections.
A Retort to BJP Claims and Allegations of Power Misuse
Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to campaign for 96 party candidates in the upcoming municipal corporation elections, Thackeray delivered a sharp rebuttal to former BJP state president Raosaheb Danve's recent remark that all opponents "ate from the BJP's plate." Thackeray turned the tables, asserting that several BJP politicians owed their very political survival to the nurturing provided by Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
He framed the civic polls as a "fight for survival" beyond mere political existence, claiming that those intoxicated with power had "ate, grew arrogant and left." Thackeray promised a fresh beginning for the city, akin to the party's efforts in 1988.
Money Power and Agency Pressure in Elections
Thackeray mounted serious allegations about the conduct of elections, stating they are heavily influenced by money power and intimidation. He claimed that funds are transferred digitally ahead of polls to sway the electoral process.
More significantly, he accused the ruling party of weaponizing central agencies. "Central agencies such as the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Income Tax Department are used to pressure opposition politicians so that rival candidates do not remain in the fray," Thackeray alleged. Despite these circumstances, he declared his party's resolve to challenge those in power, confident they would not withstand the challenge in the civic body.
Ideological Attack and Critique of Civic Governance
The former Chief Minister escalated his attack to ideological grounds, accusing the BJP of abandoning its core principle. "BJP that spoke of nationalism is dead. Rapists and murderers are acceptable. Goons and the corrupt come first now," he charged.
Shifting to local issues, Thackeray criticized the state government's civic management. He contrasted the slow provision of drinking water with the swift issuance of liquor licenses, accusing the ruling dispensation of dishonesty. He highlighted that during his tenure as CM, projects worth Rs 2,500 crore were approved for the city, including schemes worth Rs 1,680 crore for which work orders were issued. He alleged a severe deterioration in water supply, road works, and infrastructure after 2022, claiming the present regime had turned the 'Super Sambhajinagar' vision into a "centre of corruption."
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrakant Khaire, also speaking at the rally, credited the peace maintained since 1988 for the city's industrial growth and gave Shiv Sena the credit for preventing communal riots. He indirectly targeted MP Sandipan Bhumare, alleging some MPs could not read Marathi and were focused only on opening liquor shops.
Thackeray further targeted state minister Sanjay Shirsat, alleging dynastic politics by questioning his son Siddhant and daughter Harshada contesting the civic elections. Former leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Ambadas Danve, added to the criticism by alleging large-scale irregularities in municipal projects, including water supply and land allotments, and claimed investigations into these alleged scams were deliberately stalled.
