Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday suggested that the BJP-led government turn the Raj Bhavan premises in Mumbai into a memorial for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while shifting the governor to some other place.
If the BJP has genuine respect for the 17th century warrior king, the Union government would declare a country-wide holiday on his birth anniversary, he told a party convention at Nashik.
In his fiery address, Thackeray launched an attack on the Union and Maharashtra governments. He accused them of hypocrisy over Hindutva, disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj, and political opportunism.
Thackeray criticised Home Minister Amit Shah for attempting to lecture Maharashtrians about Hindutva and Shivaji Maharaj. Referring to Shah’s recent visit to Raigad Fort, the UBT leader said, “Amit Shah did not even respectfully take the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. And yet he says we should not limit Shivaji Maharaj to Maharashtra, but spread his ideology across the country.”
“When Shivaji Maharaj looted Surat, it was reported in the London Gazette. He already has global recognition. Shah doesn’t need to teach us about Shivaji Maharaj.”
Thackeray challenged Shah and the BJP to declare a national holiday on Shivaji Jayanti. “Where is the Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea that the BJP promised?” he asked, supporting Udayanraje Bhosale’s suggestion that the statue be built at Raj Bhavan. “No one is greater than Shivaji Maharaj. If the governors themselves don’t respect their constitutional post, as the Supreme Court recently pointed out, then we see no need to respect them either,” he added.
Taking a direct jab at the chief minister, Thackeray said, “Devendra Fadnavis claimed he wouldn’t spare anyone who insulted Shivaji Maharaj. But a senior BJP leader failed to take Shivaji Maharaj’s name with respect, and Fadnavis had to tone down his stand, merely stating that legal action would be considered.”
Thackeray accused the BJP of selectively applying Hindutva. “The same BJP that accuses us of leaving Hindutva distributed gifts to 32 lakh Muslims under the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ scheme in Bihar. Where was their Hindutva then?” he asked. “In Maharashtra it’s ‘Batenge Toh Katenge’ but in Bihar it’s 'Saugat Batenge Aur Jeetenge’. That’s their strategy.”
Thackeray further criticised the BJP for forming alliances with leaders who have previously opposed the RSS or relied heavily on Muslim votes. “They allied with Nitish Kumar, who wanted a ban on RSS, with Chandrababu Naidu who depended on Muslim votes, and with Mehbooba Mufti. So who really abandoned Hindutva?” he questioned. “We left the BJP, not Hindutva.”
He clarified his stand on inclusive nationalism, saying, “We chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Jai Hind’, but you must also say ‘Jai Shivaji’ and ‘Jai Maharashtra’. That’s the true spirit of Maharashtra.”
Thackeray also spoke about the controversial Waqf Board Bill, explaining, “We opposed it because it has nothing to do with Hindu interests and the bill has been brought in to usurp land for businessmen friends of [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi. Even Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK opposed it. But within two days, Amit Shah went there and formed an alliance, because Stalin is now giving them a tough fight.”
The convention saw attendance from senior UBT leaders including Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Vinayak Raut, Ambadas Danve and Chandrakant Khaire. Thackeray motivated party workers by stating, “I may not have anything material to offer, but if you unite for Maharashtra’s progress, we can achieve a lot together. True loyalists stand with the party even when it’s not in power.”
