Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]October 5 (ANI): On the occasion of Dussehra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and said those who were given the responsibility became ‘katappa’ to betray the party.
The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray carried out ‘Raavan Dahan’ at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, the traditional venue for the party’s Dussehra celebrations since its inception in 1966.
The Shiv Sena chief said, “As per our annual tradition, there will be ‘Ravana Dahan’ ceremony, but this year’s Ravana is different. With time Ravana also changes… He used to be 10 headed till now. But, How many heads does he have now? He’s betraying 50 times more.”
Referring to the famous character ‘Katappa’ of the film Bahubali, the former Maharashtra CM said that those who were given all the benefits, they betrayed the Shiv Sena.
“To whom we gave everything, they betrayed us and those to whom nothing was given, they are all together. This army is not of one or two but of all of you. As long as you are with me, I will be the leader of the party. The only thing I feel bad and angry is that when I was admitted to the hospital, the people whom I gave the (state) responsibility became katappa and betrayed us…they were biting me and thinking That I would never return. from the hospital,” said Thackeray.
There is a tussle between the two factions of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra over who is the real heir to Bal Thackeray’s legacy.
Using Dussehra as an opportunity to attack the rival, both factions of Shiv Sena, which have been at loggerheads since the split in June, are holding rallies as a show of strength. For the first time, the people of the state are weighing both the factions of Shiv Sena.
Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde leveled allegations against each other. Two parallel Dussehra rallies, one at the traditional Shivaji Park and the other at the MMRDA ground, were expressed as a show of strength competition between rival factions.
“What about giving strength to women or women’s rights in the Ankita Bhandari Uttarakhand murder case, which, according to news reports, took place at a BJP leader’s resort,” Uddhav questioned.
He then challenged the Shinde faction to come on one platform and speak about Hindutva without taking a script from the BJP.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and his faction leaders attend Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at MMRDA ground. Shinde also paid tribute on the chair of Balasaheb Thackeray. ‘Shastra Puja’ was performed on a 51 feet sword, for which a Mahant was called from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
Notably, Balasaheb Thackeray’s son Jaidev Thackeray came to show his support and shared the stage with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde during the Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s MMRDA ground.
Addressing the crowd, Shinde hit back at Thackeray and said, “They call me ‘Katappa’. I want to tell you that ‘Katappa’ also had self-respect and was not a double standard like you. It is your (Uddhav Thackeray). ) is not a private limited company. Shivsena belongs to those Shiv Sainiks who have shed their sweat for this. Not to people like you, who partnered and sold it.
Shinde lambasted his former party leader Uddhav Thackeray over the alliance with the Congress and called him a traitor. “Balasaheb Thackeray forged an alliance with the BJP. You cheated, we are not traitors. You have committed a sin… go and ask for forgiveness from Balasaheb’s samadhi at Shivaji Park.”
Shinde further lauded his rule and said that Uddhav Thackeray has betrayed the people of Maharashtra and sold the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray, he has brought a revolution. He said, “You point to us to steal your father but you have sold your father and the packed land here is an example of that.”
Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction leader Ramdas Kadam lashed out at Uddhav Thackeray saying, “Even your brother, cousin or Raj Thackeray is not with you Uddhav ji, if you can’t even maintain your family, So how will you maintain the state?”
Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30 earlier this year. A faction of the Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, shifted the alliance from the MVA to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (ANI)
This report is automatically generated from ANI news service. ThePrint assumes no responsibility for its contents.