Fight between Modi and Uddhav Thackeray: On the occasion of Shiv Sena's foundation day, a fierce battle was witnessed between Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions organised programmes in different areas of Mumbai and accused each other. Seeing the success in the Lok Sabha elections, Uddhav Thackeray has given an open challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Uddhav Thackeray's challenge to Modi
Referring to the assembly elections to be held at the end of the year, Uddhav Thackeray said, “Modiji, I invite you to campaign for the assembly elections in Maharashtra. This will be a fight between you and me. Never used someone else's image. We challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start preparations from today itself and keep this fake Shiv Sena away.”
Clarification on rumours
Uddhav Thackeray had joined hands with both factions of Shiv Sena and termed the speculation of joining NDA as baseless. He said that he would never join hands with those who tried to destroy his party.
It is noteworthy that after the rebellion of Eknath Shinde faction in Shiv Sena, the Election Commission has given them the name and election symbol of undivided Shiv Sena. In the Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray group won nine seats and Shinde group won seven seats. Despite not getting the name and party symbol from the Election Commission, NCP's Sharad Pawar group won eight seats and his nephew Ajit Pawar's group won one seat. While Congress won 13 seats.
Thackeray's reply on Eknath Shinde's Hindutva
Addressing a massive rally at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Eknath Shinde said, “Where has your Hindutva gone? You have no right to ask for votes in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray. Even a small child will tell you that Shiv Sena has won because of the UBT Congress vote bank. Bal Thackeray is always against the Congress.”
To which Uddhav Thackeray replied, “We have got the vote of all patriots, people of all religions. We joined the Congress, it means we have given up Hindutva. I have not given up Hindutva. Citizens have voted for us to save the country and the Constitution. This shows that the BJP has given up Hindutva.”