Uddhav Sought Votes In PM Modi's Name, Then Betrayed Him: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray for breaking his party's "natural alliance" with the BJP and exploiting the names of Bal Thackeray and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure electoral victories.

During a rally on his statewide tour, Shinde questioned the integrity of those who used the images of Bal Thackeray and PM Modi to gain votes, only to later align themselves with the Congress.

"These people sought votes using their (Bal Thackeray and Modi's) photos and then ditched them by joining hands with the Congress. They deserted voters and misused people's mandate for power. Who are the real traitors?" he asked, reports The Hindu.

Shinde claimed that while PM Modi fulfilled Bal Thackeray's dream of scrapping Article 370, Uddhav Thackeray betrayed the Prime Minister.

Shinde acknowledged that the BJP conducted itself honestly in its alliance with the Sena. He pointed out that, despite having the opportunity to claim power in the BMC after the 2017 polls, the saffron party allowed the Sena to continue governing.

Shinde emphasised that Devendra Fadnavis, despite having sufficient numbers, displayed magnanimity by allowing the Sena to stake its claim. He expressed disappointment that the same faction of the Sena is now criticising Fadnavis.

Shinde noted that the previous government led by Thackeray lacked decisiveness during its two-and-a-half-year tenure.

"To add to our pace, we now have Ajit Pawar with us," Shinde added.