Mumbai:

The BJP has realised that solely the Thackeray title will get votes in Maharashtra and so they’re attempting to “steal a Thackeray,” former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray stated at present on the assembly between Raj Thackeray and Union minister Amit Shah. The MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) chief, who can also be the estranged cousin of Mr Thackeray, was in Delhi at present, forward of the Lok Sabha elections. He stated he had been “referred to as”.

Talking at a gathering in Nanded district, Uddhav Thackeray stated the BJP “is aware of very nicely that they do not get votes within the title of PM Narendra Modi in Maharashtra… Folks vote right here within the title of (Bal) Thackeray”.

“This realisation prompted the BJP to attempt to steal leaders from exterior.  First, they stole the photograph of Bal Thackeray, however it would not matter,” he stated, in what was seen as an arch reference to Eknath Shinde, who’s partnering the BJP.  

Mr Thackeray’s Shiv Sena was cut up over what insurgent chief Eknath Shinde — who subsequently grew to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra — referred to as the legacy of get together founder Bal Thackeray. The chief, who accused Mr Thackeray of deviating from the Hindutva ideology of Bal Thackeray, who was additionally his father, had later credited the BJP with masterminding the cut up.

“As we speak, they’re attempting to steal one other Thackeray….take it. My individuals and I are sufficient,” Uddhav Thackeray then added, disregarding his cousin and the extremely slim area of interest attraction he has.

The MNS, fashioned in 2006 after the cousins parted methods and relying on the anti-outsiders plank, has made little headway politically. From 13 meeting seats in 2008, it’s now right down to a single seat, received in 2019.

Mr Thackeray, whose get together is a part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the INDIA bloc, additionally claimed even Christians and Muslims are comfy together with his model of Hindutva.

“The picture of Shiv Sena (undivided) was getting sullied once we had been with the BJP. However since we severed ties with them, even members of Christian and Muslim communities are saying that they don’t have any points with our Hindutva ideology,” he added.

Senior MNS chief Bala Nandgaonkar stated the talks had been “constructive”. The MNS, it’s learnt, desires three seats – South Mumbai, Shirdi and Nashik.