New Delhi: BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla has sharply criticized the fragile alliance between the Thackeray brothers in Maharashtra politics. Speaking on recent developments following municipal elections, Shukla asserted that the much-touted unity between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray was nothing more than an electoral facade.
The BJP leader pointed to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) endorsement of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction in the Dombivli-Kalyan area as irrefutable evidence. ‘Raj Thackeray’s support for the ‘real Shiv Sena’ confirms that Shinde is the true heir to the Thackeray legacy,’ Shukla declared. He emphasized that this backing was openly given after consulting Raj Thackeray himself, as admitted by a former MNS legislator.
Shukla didn’t hold back in mocking Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, saying their denial of these open developments is baffling. This comes after MNS announced support for the Mahayuti alliance in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation mayor elections. The recent polls across 29 Maharashtra municipal bodies on January 15 saw Mahayuti, led by BJP, dominate with sweeping victories announced on January 16.
Turning to broader issues, Shukla defended BJP’s stance on Sanatan Dharma amid controversies involving Shankaracharya remarks by Akhilesh Yadav. ‘BJP is the true flagbearer of Sanatan,’ he proclaimed, accusing those who once ordered firings on innocent kar sevaks of now hypocritically championing the cause. He further alleged their involvement in incidents of violence against figures like Swami Avimukteshwaranand.
As Maharashtra’s political landscape shifts post-elections, Shukla’s remarks underscore deepening rifts within the Thackeray camp and BJP’s assertive positioning on cultural and electoral fronts. The coming days will reveal if these alliances hold or fracture further.