Uddhav Thackeray targets BJP over Ayodhya donation case, revives '50 khokha' charge against Eknath Shinde

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a multipronged attack on the BJP and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accusing the ruling party of betraying Hindus through the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and reviving his 50 khokha allegation over the 2022 Shiv Sena splitAddressing party workers and a press conference during his visit to Yavatmal Thackeray also criticised recent defections from the Shiv Sena UBT apologised to supporters for backing leaders who later switched sides and asserted that true Shivsainiks continue to stand with himHis remarks came a day after eight persons accused in the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations were remanded in judicial custody with investigators reporting the recovery of Rs 7985 lakhTargets BJP over Ram Temple donation caseReferring to the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Thackeray accused the BJP of exploiting religious sentiments for political gainReal Hindutva teaches humanity We reject your BJPs Hindutva of looting temples We want BJPmukt Ram and Shiv Sena UBT will lead such protests he saidHe also alleged that the BJP was engineering splits in political parties to divert public attention from issues affecting peopleThe Shiv Sena UBT chief said his party would oppose what he described as attempts to politicise religion while reaffirming its commitment to its interpretation of HindutvaRevives 50 khokha allegationThackeray also revived the politically charged 50 khokha allegation while targeting Eknath Shinde over the 2022 rebellion in the undivided Shiv SenaShinde is sitting over there having committed betrayal Back then it was written on the bullocks 50 crores The going rate of MLAs was 50 crores so what must it be now Thackeray saidThe phrase 50 khokha has been repeatedly used by the Shiv Sena UBT to allege that MLAs who switched allegiance during the 2022 split were offered Rs 50 crore each Leaders of the Shindeled Shiv Sena have consistently denied the allegationApologises to supporters over rebel leadersReferring to the recent rebellion within the party Thackeray apologised to supporters for recommending leaders who later defectedAt my suggestion I gave you a scarecrow you elected him and for that I apologise You elected him only on the face of the Shiv Sena chief and on my words He betrayed us and blackened the trust you placed in him There is a herd of traitors he saidThe remarks came days after six Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena further intensifying the political battle between the rival factionsSays true Shivsainiks remain with himThanking party workers for attending the gathering despite the onset of the monsoon Thackeray compared their support to the rains that bring new lifeThe monsoon season is beginning all of you are farmers from rural areas Thank you for leaving your fields and coming here The love of the workers is my monsoon season In the monsoon trees get new shoots First we must deal with the traitors he saidHe also said he felt disappointed that several rebel leaders had remained in the party for years before eventually leavingThe true Shivsainiks are with me As for the others you are all witnessing their behaviour I honestly feel ashamed that they managed to remain in our company for as long as they did Thackeray saidHis comments come amid an intensifying political confrontation between the Shiv Sena UBT and the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena following the recent defections with leaders from both factions continuing to trade allegations over loyalty ideology and the future of the partyWith inputs from PTI and ANI