Uddhav Thackeray targets Gadkari over ethanol policy
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a sharp attack on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during a victory rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday, accusing him of misleading farmers and the public over the government's ethanol-blended petrol policy. Thackeray declared, "Deshbhakt have defeated andhbhakt," a pun on patriots versus blind followers, implying that those who truly care for the nation have prevailed over blind supporters of the regime.
Context of the ethanol-blended petrol issue
Nitin Gadkari, often hailed as the 'Infrastructure Man' in the Narendra Modi cabinet, has been a strong proponent of ethanol blending as part of India's push towards renewable energy and reduced oil imports. The government has set a target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26. However, the policy has faced criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it diverts food grains and sugarcane for fuel production, potentially harming food security and farmer incomes.
Thackeray's remarks come amid a broader political rivalry in Maharashtra, where his party is locked in a bitter battle with the BJP-led alliance. The victory rally was held to celebrate the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s performance in recent local elections, though exact details of the electoral win were not specified.
Political significance of the attack
The choice of Gadkari as the target is strategic. Gadkari, a senior BJP leader from Maharashtra, is seen as a moderate face of the party and has enjoyed cross-party respect for his infrastructure projects. By directly attacking him, Thackeray aims to undermine BJP's credibility on farmer issues and environmental claims. The phrase "deshbhakt vs andhbhakt" resonated with the crowd, highlighting the deepening ideological divide in the state.
Thackeray did not name other BJP leaders but implied that the entire party is complicit in policies that hurt the common man. The rally, attended by thousands of supporters, also saw other Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders speak, focusing on local issues like water scarcity and unemployment.
Reactions from the BJP
The BJP has not yet officially responded to Thackeray's comments, but party sources dismissed the attack as a desperate attempt to stay relevant after electoral setbacks. Dharmendra Pradhan, another Union Minister, had earlier defended the ethanol policy, stating it benefits farmers by ensuring a steady demand for sugarcane. However, no direct rebuttal to Thackeray's latest salvo has been issued.
Impact on Maharashtra politics
The ethanol blending debate is particularly sensitive in Maharashtra, a major sugarcane producer. Farmers in the state have often complained about delayed payments by sugar mills and fluctuating prices. Thackeray's criticism taps into these grievances, positioning his party as a defender of agrarian interests. The victory rally itself served as a morale booster for Shiv Sena (UBT) cadres, who have been struggling to regain ground since the split in the original Shiv Sena.
Political analysts believe that Thackeray's targeting of Gadkari is a calculated move to revive his party's fortunes by polarizing the electorate along ideological lines. The use of the term 'andhbhakt' is reminiscent of similar barbs used by opposition leaders against BJP supporters, indicating a strategy to energize the anti-BJP vote bank.
