09 July,2026 12:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of running a "rumour-manufacturing factory" to create political uncertainty and divert attention from key issues in the state.
In an editorial published in its party mouthpiece "Saamana", the Thackeray-led party criticised the BJP leadership while reacting to Fadnavis' recent statement that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) structure in Maharashtra would remain unchanged and no new parties would join the alliance.
The editorial claimed the statement reflected the political situation within the ruling alliance and alleged that decisions in Maharashtra were being influenced by central leadership.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the BJP of spreading speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) was considering joining the NDA.
The editorial described the BJP as a "rumour-manufacturing factory" and referred to the Chief Minister as its "Chairman".
"At least two thousand salaried individuals work in this factory, commonly known as the IT Cell, costing millions of rupees monthly. It is because the Chief Minister has successfully built these rumour factories that he has ironically earned the title of 'Inframan'. Whenever there is a need to deflect from Maharashtra's core issues, this factory pumps out misinformation to trigger chaos in the state," the editorial stated.
The Thackeray camp alleged that a series of narratives were created around the NCP(SP), including claims about MPs switching sides, a possible merger with the NDA and a merger between the two NCP factions.
The editorial said that only Sharad Pawar could clarify his party's political position and dismissed speculation linked to recent meetings involving Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders.
Referring to the meeting between Sharad Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, the editorial said it was related to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute and attended by a delegation of around 20 to 25 members.
It described claims of secret political discussions during the meeting as "ridiculous".
The editorial also defended NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil over reports of his interaction with BJP leader Vinod Tawde at a Mumbai hotel. It referred to Patil's clarification that he had gone to meet MP Supriya Sule during a break in a Parliamentary Committee meeting, where Tawde was also present as a committee member.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that normal interactions between elected representatives were being used to create confusion within the opposition alliance.
The editorial claimed that Maharashtra's political decision-making process had changed and alleged that important decisions were being controlled by central leadership.
It further accused the BJP of weakening opposition parties through political pressure, financial influence and the use of central agencies.
The editorial claimed that joining the NDA at this stage would be "political suicide" for any regional party.
The Thackeray-led party also criticised the state government over governance and law-and-order issues.
The editorial accused Fadnavis of not speaking strongly enough on serious incidents and referred to the recent alleged assault on a female doctor in Thane district by people reportedly linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's party.
It claimed that instead of focusing on important governance matters, the Chief Minister was giving attention to political developments and speculation.
The editorial concluded by alleging that political uncertainty in Maharashtra was being driven by decisions taken outside the state and called for greater focus on public issues.
(With inputs from IANS)
