27 June,2026 04:53 PM IST | Yavatmal | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressing a public gathering in Yavatmal. Pic/ X
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the BJP of attempting to 'poach' leaders and alleged that the party wanted to amend the Constitution to consolidate power, urging people of Maharashtra to remain vigilant against what he termed 'dictatorship.'
Addressing a public gathering in Yavatmal, Thackeray claimed that political defections were continuing despite there being no elections, alleging that the timing had been deliberately chosen.
Referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said the BJP had campaigned with the slogan "Ab ki baar 400 paar," while he had countered it with "Ab ki baar tadipaar." He alleged that the BJP's larger objective was to change the Constitution and gain unchecked powers.
"They want to change the Constitution. They want to poach leaders. Once the Constitution is changed, they can do whatever they want," Thackeray said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said his party was fighting to prevent what he described as the "rule of slavery and dictatorship" and appealed to voters in Maharashtra to remain alert.
Questioning those who switched political sides, Thackeray alleged that such defections were aimed at taking away people's freedom.
Calling for support for his party, he said the next Member of Parliament should be "a staunch supporter of the saffron flag" and asserted that there is "only one Shiv Sena and only one saffron flag."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Saturday criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to the constituencies of six rebel Lok Sabha MPs, describing the tour as a symbolic exercise aimed at attracting publicity rather than reconnecting with party workers.
Shirsat also accused Thackeray of allowing his "ego" to weaken the party and rejected the former chief minister's claim that the rebel MPs had won previous elections solely because of his leadership.
The remarks come days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, intensifying the political battle between the rival factions.
Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shirsat said Thackeray's visit to the constituencies represented by the rebel MPs was intended to generate media attention rather than achieve any political purpose.
"This tour of Uddhav Thackeray is merely a 'touch and go' one. It is meant only to show that he has visited constituencies where the MPs have left him. This is being done simply so that people learn through the news that he has visited their constituencies," Shirsat said.
Thackeray has been touring the constituencies of the six MPs who recently switched allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
