Uddhav Thackeray Claims BJP Communication Ended in 2019
Uddhav Thackeray asserts that dialogue with BJP ceased after the 2019 elections, marking a significant political shift.
Thackeray states that communication with BJP stopped in 2019 and has not resumed.
The Shiv Sena split from BJP over leadership disputes following the 2019 Assembly elections.
Thackeray criticizes the decline in public thinking and the impact of mobile phone usage.
Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), announced on Saturday that communication with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was once a key ally, has been completely severed since 2019. This statement was made during the launch of Sanjay Raut's book, 'Bodh Kirtan', where Thackeray reflected on the deteriorating relationship between the two parties.
The rift between Shiv Sena and BJP became pronounced after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, primarily due to disagreements over the chief ministerial position. This division deepened further in 2022 when a faction led by Eknath Shinde aligned with the BJP, leading to a significant political realignment in the state. Thackeray's remarks highlight the lasting impact of these events on party relations, emphasizing that calls to the BJP leadership ceased entirely after 2019.
During his address, Thackeray also commented on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's recent remarks regarding their past communications, indicating that he had not received any calls from Fadnavis since 2019. He expressed concern over the public's diminishing capacity for critical thinking, attributing this decline to the pervasive use of mobile phones. Thackeray urged for a return to speaking in pure Marathi, stressing the importance of linguistic integrity.
In addition to discussing political matters, Thackeray addressed local environmental issues, particularly opposition to a pumped storage project in Karjat. He mentioned another power project on the Sindhudurg-Kolhapur border, signaling that it too would face opposition from his party. This reflects Shiv Sena (UBT)'s commitment to environmental concerns amid ongoing developmental projects.
The book 'Bodh Kirtan' features Raut's philosophical insights and includes an article on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech following the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Raj Thackeray, leader of MNS, also spoke at the event, reminiscing about Raut's career and their long-standing friendship, which has endured through various political landscapes. Raj highlighted Raut's early work and his candid interactions with Bal Thackeray, which ultimately contributed to Raut's rise within the Shiv Sena's media apparatus.
