Kolhapur: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray kicked off the election campaign on Tuesday and described the November 20 assembly elections as a fight between those who love Maharashtra and those who betrayed it. He also mentioned about the split in the party in 2022. Thackeray targeted his former ally BJP and its allies, saying those are helping the national party. They are enemies of Maharashtra. He made many promises to the voters. These include the promise of building a temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comes to power.
Enemies of the state who help BJP
Addressing his first rally of the 2024 assembly elections at Radhanagari in Kolhapur district, he said people who love the state are associated with the opposition MVA. It includes Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). Radhanagari is the constituency of Prakash Abitkar who is one of the 40 Shiv Sena MLAs who rebelled against his leadership. Thackeray said that those who help BJP are enemies of the state.
The fight between those who love the state and those who hate it
Attacking his one-time colleague, the former chief minister accused the BJP of selling out Maharashtra to Gujarat, where it is in power. Thackeray claimed that his government was toppled in June 2022 because he did not allow BJP to harm Maharashtra. He said that when MVA was in power under his leadership, not a single industrial project went out of the state. He said the (Maharashtra Assembly) elections are a fight between those who love the state and those who hate it.
After court came to public court
The Shiv Sena (UBT) president began his speech with the phrase ‘Jamaleya meray tamaam Maharashtra premi bandhavnu, matanu aani baaghinino’ (My brothers, mothers and sisters who love Maharashtra), and described the election battle as a struggle for those who love the state and its Tried to present it as a fight between “those working against each other”. Referring to the petitions filed by his party in the Supreme Court demanding disqualification of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, Thackeray stressed that he has still not got justice from the apex judiciary and hence he is turning to the public for justice. Have come to court.
Shinde attacked the government
The former Chief Minister said that I am not fighting for myself, but for you and Maharashtra. He accused BJP of trying to divide people on the basis of religion and caste for power. Attacking the Eknath Shinde-led government of the state, Thackeray alleged that the government works on commission. Shinde took power after the fall of the Thackeray-led MVA government.
Questions raised on Ladli Behan Scheme
Talking about the Mahayuti government’s flagship scheme for poor women, ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladli Behan Yojana’, Thackeray said the police were not even ready to register the complaint of the mother of the girl, who was murdered in Badlapur in Thane district in August. He said that the government is implementing Ladli Bahin Yojana. Under this, underprivileged women are being given a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500, but inflation is increasing, due to which essential commodities are becoming expensive for common citizens. Thackeray promised that if the MVA comes to power, there will be a temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district of Maharashtra.
Uddhav promised
The former Chief Minister said that if possible, he would also build a temple dedicated to the 17th century Maratha warrior king in Surat in present-day Gujarat. The city of Surat is associated with the military campaigns of Shivaji Maharaj. He assured that the rates of essential food items like rice, pulses, oil and sugar will be stabilized after the MVA comes to power. Thackeray said that at present education is free for girl students in the state, but the MVA government will provide this benefit to male students also. Elections for 288 seats of Maharashtra Assembly will be held on November 20 and counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Shiv Sena (UBT) Campaign Launch
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we delve into the latest political developments in Maharashtra, especially following the commencement of Uddhav Thackeray’s election campaign. Joining us is Dr. Anjali Kulkarni, a renowned political analyst and expert in Maharashtra politics. Dr. Kulkarni, thank you for being here.
Dr. Anjali Kulkarni: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a dynamic political landscape.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Uddhav Thackeray has framed the upcoming assembly elections as a battle between those who love Maharashtra and those who betray it. How important is this narrative in his campaign?
Dr. Kulkarni: It’s quite significant. By framing the election in emotional terms, Thackeray is tapping into regional sentiments and political pride. This duality of ‘us versus them’ resonates deeply with voters, especially in Maharashtra, a state known for its strong regional identity. He wants to rally those who feel marginalized by the BJP’s actions since the party took power.
Editor: He made a striking accusation, claiming that the BJP is “selling out Maharashtra to Gujarat.” How does this rhetoric play into his overall strategy?
Dr. Kulkarni: It’s a strategic move aimed at alienating the BJP from the electorate. The mention of Gujarat serves to evoke feelings of distrust; historically, Maharashtra has prided itself on its distinct identity and economic prowess. By claiming that the BJP prioritizes Gujarat over Maharashtra, Thackeray is attempting to position himself as the guardian of state interests, which appeals to many voters who fear losing their local identity and resources.
Editor: Thackeray also mentioned the split within his party and the rebellion of Shiv Sena MLAs. How does this internal conflict impact his campaign?
Dr. Kulkarni: Internal conflict poses a significant challenge. While Thackeray is attempting to paint his former allies as traitors to Maharashtra, he also must navigate the fallout of the rebel MLAs who have formed a faction under Eknath Shinde. His call for justice from the public, rather than the court, indicates a desire to reconnect with his base and assert his legitimacy as the rightful leader of the Shiv Sena. However, fragmented loyalty among party members could weaken his campaign.
Editor: He promised to build a temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district if the Maha Vikas Aghadi comes to power. What do you think of this strategy?
Dr. Kulkarni: This promise is deeply symbolic. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a revered figure in Maharashtra, representing courage and self-rule. By making such promises, Thackeray is appealing to the cultural sentiments of the people and leveraging historical pride for electoral gain. It not only reinforces regional identity but also mobilizes those who view Shivaji Maharaj as a unifying symbol.
Editor: Lastly, do you believe that Thackeray’s accusations toward the BJP regarding dividing people on religious or caste lines will resonate with voters?
Dr. Kulkarni: Absolutely. This kind of divisive rhetoric plays well in an electoral context, particularly in a diverse state like Maharashtra where communal tensions can arise. Highlighting such issues may galvanize support from those who are concerned about inclusivity and social cohesion. Thackeray’s narrative seeks to present himself as a champion for all communities against a backdrop of perceived divisive politics.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kulkarni, for your insights on Uddhav Thackeray’s campaign and the political landscape in Maharashtra. It seems like the upcoming elections will be quite contentious.
Dr. Kulkarni: Yes, indeed. The stakes are high, and both sides will be vying fiercely for public support. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Editor: Thanks for joining us, and we look forward to more discussions as the election date approaches. Stay tuned with Time.news for the latest updates on the political scenario in Maharashtra!