“Why even hold elections? Just announce the winner”: Uddhav Thackeray on EC’s VVPAT move

President, Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray File pic.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, claiming that US President Donald Trump was mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the PM had failed to issue a strong rebuttal, reported PTI.

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray accused Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of acting more like propaganda ministers for the BJP, at a time when the country required decisive leadership to navigate serious challenges.

"Trump is mocking India and Narendra Modi. We are unable to respond to him, let alone seek answers from him. This government has failed on the foreign policy front, reported PTI.

The nation needs a strong prime minister, a strong home minister, defence minister and external affairs minister," the former Maharashtra chief minister said.

His remarks came shortly after President Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total duty to 50%, as a response to India's continued imports of oil from Russia, reported PTI.

"Today, the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister function more as propaganda ministers for the BJP. Had Modi been the nation's prime minister, he would have visited Pahalgam, but he chose to visit Bihar," Thackeray said.

As reported by PTI, he reiterated his party's firm support for the opposition INDIA bloc and dismissed any speculation about reuniting with his cousin, Raj Thackeray, founder of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

"There is no need to talk about Raj Thackeray. There are no conditions attached for being part of the opposition INDIA bloc. As far as Raj is concerned, we two brothers are steadfast in our approach. We both will take care of it," Thackeray said.

Thackeray is currently in New Delhi to attend the opposition INDIA bloc's meeting called by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, marking the first physical meeting of the coalition since its loss in the last Lok Sabha elections.

When asked about potential candidates for the vice presidential post, Thackeray declined to make predictions, including on whether his party would support an NDA nominee if the candidate were a Marathi speaker, reported PTI.

"We will talk about these possibilities when we know about it. Right now, we want to know why the vice president was removed from office. Where is the (former) vice president now? This is the issue that should be discussed," Thackeray said.

He came down heavily on the Election Commission over the rollout of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, raising concerns about whether it was a veiled implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Thackeray also criticized the poll panel's move to not use VVPATs in the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra, as reported by PTI.

"VVPATs were introduced when doubts were raised about EVMs. Now, why should you even go through the process of holding an election? You can announce the winner straightaway. We do not know whom we have voted for, why hold elections," he said.

When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's visit to the capital to meet PM Modi and Amit Shah, Thackeray brushed off the matter, reported PTI.

"A traitor is a traitor. I do not give them much importance. He may have come to meet his masters," Thackeray said.

(Inputs from PTI)