‘Don’t You Dare Teach Us Hindutva’: Uddhav Thackeray’s Warning To BJP At Dussehra Rally | Mumbai-news News

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said comparing a cricket match to a military action like ‘Operation Sindoor’ is “unfortunate”. (Image: PTI/File)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday warned the ruling BJP in Maharashtra not to lecture him and his party on Hindutva. 

Without taking any names, Uddhav Thackeray said those who have stolen the party and symbol can never be “original Shiv Sena party chief”.

“Despite the mud and rain, you all have come here; that shows who has the support of people,” Uddhav said during his rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar.

He asked if the same BJP that accuses him of “forgetting Hindutva” by “joining hands with Muslims” will question RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his meetings with Muslim leaders.

“…The RSS chief has conducted meetings with Muslims leaders to maintain peace between the two communities. I now want to ask BJP leaders what they have to say about this? Will you question Bhagwat as well?” he asked. “If BJP is trying to teach us Hindutva, then don’t dare. I am warning the BJP today – don’t you dare to talk against us on the issue of Hindutva.”

Reiterating his “deshbhakti-deshdrohi” comments over the India-Pakistan match controversy, the former Maharashtra chief minister said comparing a cricket match to a military action like ‘Operation Sindoor’ is “unfortunate”.

“The BJP should stop this drama, where the father talks against Pakistan and the son asks the team to play with Pakistan, which killed our people in Pahalgam,” he said.

On Wednesday (October 1), he said those who are “deshdrohi” (anti-nationals) enjoyed the India-Pakistan Asia Cup final. “I don’t want to speak about the match as I have not watched it. As a deshbhakt (patriot), I have not seen the match. Those who are deshdrohi (anti-nationals) have enjoyed the match,” he said.

The rival Shiv Senas led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde have held separate Dussehra rallies in Mumbai since the party’s split in 2022. The tradition of the annual Dussehra rally of the Shiv Sena began when Bal Thackeray founded the party in 1966.

‘THOSE IN POWER LOOTING BMC’

Launching a fresh salvo at the BJP-led Centre and the state government over a range of issues, Uddhav accused the saffron party of “looting” the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He said the civic body is facing ruin under the current regime while Mumbai’s road infrastructure is at its worst.

Setting the tone for the upcoming civic body polls, he said the BMC, which once had surplus funds in the form of fixed deposits, has witnessed rampant misuse in the last two years leading to a deficit. He criticised the state government for delaying the polls.

“Once the elections of BMC happen, everyone will know whom the people are supporting. For the last two years, those in power have been looting BMC,” he alleged. “See the condition of Mumbai’s roads. What have they done to it? This government only knows how to take credit for projects that we started and initiated. Take the coastal road, the BDD chawl redevelopment – all were ideated and initiated by us, but they are making a loud noise about them. People are not fools.”

At the Dussehra rally, Uddhav further made it clear his party is preparing to pitch the BMC election as a fight to “save Mumbai” from what he calls rampant corruption and “credit politics” of the ruling Mahayuti.

‘WHY SO MUCH ANGER AGAINST MAHARASHTRA’

Uddhav attacked the Devendra Fadnavis-led government over the plight of farmers in the Marathwada region, who are in dire need of financial aid.

“When Fadnavis was in opposition, he would demand that the government announce a ‘wet drought’. But now, as CM, he says there is no such term in the government’s books. Let me remind you, during my tenure as CM, I announced a loan waiver for all farmers in the state – something the Fadnavis or BJP-led government couldn’t even think of,” he said.

He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged politics-driven financial aid. “The PM recently announced Rs 10,000 financial assistance to women in Bihar since it is a poll-bound state. But when it comes to Maharashtra, farmers reeling under wet drought, he asks for proposals from our CM. Why so much anger against Maharashtra? Why can’t one of the deputy CMs be stationed in Delhi till the PM gives immediate help to our farmers?” he asked, not naming Shinde or NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who is also a deputy CM.