Yet another political drama unfolded between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena-led three party alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, comprising Congress and NCP as well, on Sunday, April 10 in Mumbai and Kolhapur.
Responding to the Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis’ allegation that the Shiv Sena was going soft on Hindutva due to coalition constraints, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the split from the BJP does not imply that the party has abandoned its Hindutva stance.
He made these statements while addressing a virtual campaigning for the Congress party candidate Jayshree Jadhav for the Kolhapur-North by-election.
"What does the BJP mean when they say we've given up our Hindutva? Leaving the BJP does not imply abandoning Hindutva or that our Hindutva is fake. We are genuine and upfront, as we have always been. BJP doesn’t hold the patent on Hindutva and only BJP doesn’t mean Hindutva either," said Uddhav Thackeray.
He further criticised the BJP for forming an alliance with Mehbooba Mufti and accused the party of weakening Hindutva.
"You [BJP] say we [Shiv Sena] committed a sin by aligning with the Congress in Maharashtra, but was it a holy act when you formed an alliance with Mehbooba Mufti? Did Mehbooba say Vande Matram or Bharat Mata ki Jai?" Thackeray asked.
BJP’s Hindutva is power-hungry Hindutva. They can make an alliance with any party for power. In Jammu and Kashmir, they shared power with Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who supported the 'terrorist.' BJP can go to any extent to get power. Therefore, people should not believe in their Hindutva.
On the issue of alliance dissolution, Uddhav reiterated that the Sena did not break the BJP-Sena alliance and that it was the BJP that failed to keep its promise.
"We did not break the alliance with the BJP. Amit Shah had given me the order. The BJP has not stated why they have changed their stance... Why is the BJP opposed to naming Navi Mumbai airport after Balasaheb Thackeray, whom they claim to love and respect?" he further questioned.
He added that the MVA government is efficient, but only lacks the talent of "peddling lies" like the Opposition.
These statements came after Devendra Fadnavis clashed over the issue on the last day of campaigning ahead of the Kolhapur North constituency bypoll as Shivaji Park police detained four Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for playing Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker fitted atop a taxi outside Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar without permission.
Reacting to the detention of the MNS workers in Mumbai, Fadanvis said: "Why do some people get angry if Hanuman Chalisa is played? If they don't have any problem with the prayers of other religions being played on loudspeakers, why is there a problem if Hanuman Chalisa is played on loudspeaker?" He accused the Sena of abandoning Hindutva and turning 'pseudo-secular'.
Despite the nation dwindling with economic and several other crisis, it is indeed disappointing and disheartening to see that religion still play the dominant role in the Indian politics.
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