As cousins share stage after polls, Raj recalls Hindutva’s rise while Uddhav attacks rivals, says they tried to erase Thackeray name but Sena fought back
(From left) Cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray share a light moment during the Balasaheb Thackeray birth centenary event in Mumbai. Pic/Ashish Raje
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said it was Balasaheb Thackeray who made people realise the political strength of Hindutva as a voting force in the country.
Recalling a past interaction involving the late Shiv Sena founder, Raj said Balasaheb had once spoken to senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan about making Hindus aware of their electoral power.
“Balasaheb told Pramod Mahajan that Hindus needed to understand the strength of their vote. Mahajan did not fully believe it at the time, but Balasaheb went on to prove his point,” Raj said.
The remarks were made at a public event held at Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai to mark the birth centenary of Balasaheb Thackeray.
In a rare political moment, cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared the same stage, marking their first public appearance together since the recent municipal election results.
Balasaheb Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, and passed away on November 17, 2012, at the age of 86.
‘Bazaar politics’
Criticising the present political climate, Raj said the nature of politics had changed drastically.
“Politics today has become a bazaar. If Balasaheb were alive, he would have been deeply hurt by the way politics is practised now,” he said.
Calling his uncle a towering figure in Indian politics, Raj added, “Balasaheb was a rare personality. There has never been a leader like him, and there never will be.”
Expressing displeasure over current political developments in Maharashtra and across the country, Raj said it was perhaps good that Balasaheb was not alive to witness what was happening today.
“Politics today looks like an auction, where power is openly negotiated. Balasaheb would never have tolerated such politics,” he said.
Reflecting on his decision to quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, Raj said the move was emotionally painful.
“It was not merely leaving a party. For me, it felt like leaving my own home,” he said, recalling his close bond with Balasaheb and the organisation he built.
Uddhav targets BJP
Addressing the same gathering, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a veiled attack on the BJP’s central leadership, alleging that two businessmen were using Maharashtra’s manpower against the state itself.
He claimed that political rivals had attempted to erase the Thackeray name from Maharashtra’s political landscape.
“But Shiv Sainiks fought hard and stopped those attempts. This can happen only in Maharashtra,” Uddhav said.
Referring to Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav said the late leader had taught Marathi people to live with dignity and self-respect.
He urged the audience to take a pledge that they would not work as “slaves” for the two businessmen.
‘Betrayal came from within’
Speaking emotionally, Uddhav said the pain was deeper because the betrayal had come from within, in an indirect reference to Eknath Shinde, whose rebellion split the undivided Shiv Sena and later led to the party’s name and symbol being awarded to his faction.
Despite limited organisational resources, Uddhav said he would continue to fight.
“I will not bow down to rivals. I appeal to everyone to greet each other with ‘Jai Maharashtra’,” he said, calling for unity and pride in the state.
Commenting on the recent civic polls, Uddhav said his party had fought strongly but missed victory by a narrow margin.
“Power comes and goes. We will fight again, make a strong comeback and regain power,” he added.
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