The recent Dasara rallies in Maharashtra became a battleground for leaders from rival factions of the Shiv Sena, with Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena UBT and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the Eknath Shinde group exchanging sharp criticisms. Thackeray openly positioned himself as a candidate for Chief Minister in the upcoming State Assembly elections, while Shinde taunted him, saying, “Your own allies can’t stand your face. How will the people of Maharashtra accept you?” during his speech at Azad Maidan.
Thackeray urged RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to reconsider the organization’s stance on the BJP’s treatment of the Shiv Sena, claiming that the BJP is engaging in ‘power jihad.’ He vowed to establish temples dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji across the state if elected and criticized the BJP for fostering division among communities in the name of Hindutva. Thackeray made a pointed reference to the case of an accused in a high-profile rape case, questioning the government’s motives behind the actions taken against him.
Aaditya Thackeray also took the stage at Shivaji Park, marking his first speech at the rally, where he reminisced about childhood memories of attending the event. He criticized the government for allegedly stating that campaign timelines would cater to the interests of corporate entities.
During his address, Uddhav Thackeray declared: “This election is about establishing the true identity of Maharashtra. I will not allow it to be plundered.” He emphasized the need for unity among Hindus and challenged the BJP’s narrative of insecurity among the community, directly addressing Bhagwat’s statements.
Thackeray accused the Maharashtra government of favoring industrialist Gautam Adani, pledging to cancel land deals if he comes to power and contrasting Adani’s impact on Maharashtra with the legacy of Ratan Tata in the state.
Shinde, on the other hand, criticized Uddhav Thackeray’s understanding of Hindutva, claiming that his faction has revitalized the party’s original values. He asserted that his administration has introduced several beneficial schemes for the people while accusing Thackeray of stalling progress during his tenure as Chief Minister.
The dynamic nature of this year’s Dasara rally, where Shinde spoke first followed by Thackeray, highlighted the intensifying political rivalry. Shinde accused Thackeray of seeking support from the musty halls of Delhi, while Thackeray asserted that his battle against the current political configuration is akin to a modern-day Mahabharat.
These events indicate a decisive shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape as both factions gear up for the upcoming elections, emphasizing their contrasting visions for the state’s future.
