Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 5: Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey came out in strong support of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, defending his right to raise concerns over Chinese incursions and asserting that such remarks should not be viewed as unpatriotic. His comments follow the Supreme Court’s criticism of Gandhi for statements made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.

“We respect the Supreme Court, but questioning the government on Chinese occupation is not anti-national — it’s a duty,” Dubey told IANS. He pointed to ongoing tensions along the 3,400-kilometre-long India-China border, citing the 2020 Galwan clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, as evidence of the seriousness of the issue. “Aksai Chin and Kailash Mansarovar remain under Chinese occupation — ignoring this would be irresponsible,” he added.

The Supreme Court had expressed displeasure over Gandhi’s past claims that the Chinese Army had captured 2,000 sq km of Indian territory, killed soldiers, and beaten Indian troops in Arunachal Pradesh. Dubey defended Gandhi’s right to speak, saying discrepancies in data shouldn’t invalidate the core concern. “He is not a small leader. We will continue to speak in the national interest.”

Shifting to state politics, Dubey welcomed Raj Thackeray’s olive branch to his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, saying their potential reconciliation after two decades could energize Marathi identity politics ahead of key elections.

“Raj Thackeray has spoken with maturity and foresight. Their unity sends a powerful message to all Shiv Sainiks — we must rise above personal divisions,” Dubey said, referring to Raj’s remarks at a party function urging his followers to avoid infighting and focus on the bigger picture. He praised Raj’s emphasis on “80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics”, calling it a needed antidote to “the current arrogant regime.”

Dubey also criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for allegedly stalling local body elections, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling clearing the way for polls under a new ward structure that includes 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

He accused the government of delaying elections due to fear of losing public support. “Many civic bodies have been under administrators since the Covid pandemic. This is undemocratic and deprives citizens of elected governance,” he said. “A so-called double-engine government that boasts of efficiency cannot even conduct timely municipal elections.”

While petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the implementation of OBC quota and demanding elections based on the 2022 ward structure, the court has upheld the state election commission’s current plan — a move supported by Shiv Sena (UBT).

Dubey’s comments underline growing opposition pressure on both state and central governments — from issues of border security to local democracy, and signal an emerging realignment in Maharashtra’s political landscape.