Uddhav Thackeray digs in heels, blames BJP for revolt

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, June 24

The relationship between the two warring factions of the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra appears to have reached the point of no return. Addressing a meeting of district unit chiefs, an emotional, but combative, Uddhav Thackeray today said he might have vacated ‘Varsha’, the Chief Minister’s official residence, but not the determination to fight back.

“Whoever wants to leave can go, Sena loyalists will stay with me,” he said, accusing the group led by Eknath Shinde of “backstabbing” and blaming the BJP for rebellion in his party.

“Why should I feel bad? Maybe their dreams have become too big. My job is not to fulfil their dreams but that of people,” Uddhav said as his supporters took to the streets while the numbers increased in the Shinde camp. The embattled CM said despite the rebellions Sena faced earlier, it emerged stronger, coming to power twice. “Contest elections without using Thackeray name and Sena symbol,” he said.

Referring to allegations of maintaining distance from his MLAs, he said in the past two years, he battled Covid-19, and opponents took advantage of it. His son Aaditya Thackeray was present at Shiv Sena Bhavan during the address.

However, it remains to be seen how long Uddhav will be able to hold against the growing numbers on the Shinde side as the fight for the control of Sena, its election symbol and Maharashtra intensifies. While Uddhav’s supporters are blaming the BJP and claim that the Sena leadership can always be re-built, observers believe options are running out for the Sena chief. As top leaders of NCP, including its president Sharad Pawar, met Uddhav, amid speculation over the fate of the MVA, sources say the Sena has called its national executive meeting tomorrow. Pawar realises that Uddhav does not have the numbers, say the sources.

Today another MLA, Dilip Lande, landed in Guwahati, taking the number of rebels to 38. Seeking to restore ties with the BJP, the Shinde side is claiming the support of more than 50 MLAs, including “40 from Sena” and 12 Independents.

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