Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 8: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday strongly criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his faction's MPs for meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, questioning the significance of Modi's reported assurance, "Do not fear, I am behind you."
Thackeray questioned who the Prime Minister's message was actually intended for, particularly as the legal battle over the Shiv Sena's name and election symbol remains pending before the Supreme Court.
Addressing a press conference, Thackeray said Shinde's political access appeared to have changed, pointing out that he earlier met Union Home Minister Amit Shah but was now meeting the Prime Minister directly.
"When Shinde used to visit earlier, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Now it seems their boss has changed, and they directly meet PM Modi. What does 'Do not fear, I am behind you' signify? Is this threat-like message given to the Supreme Court? To Amit Shah? To Devendra Fadnavis, or to the administration? PM Modi must clarify who he was actually speaking to," he said.
Thackeray said the timing of the meeting was significant as the Supreme Court is hearing crucial matters concerning the Shiv Sena's name and election symbol.
"While our case is being heard, the Prime Minister, who didn't meet Gen Z representatives, is meeting traitors and telling them not to fear. This is highly objectionable. It is not just for the public to notice, but the Supreme Court should also take note and ask who this message was intended for," he said.
He also questioned whether the Prime Minister's reassurance could be interpreted as an invitation to potential defectors in other political parties, suggesting that they could switch sides without fear of consequences.
Thackeray said the dispute had now moved beyond the internal affairs of the Shiv Sena and had become a larger battle over democratic values.
"The virus of betrayal is taking the life of democracy," he said, appealing to citizens and patriots from Kashmir to Kanyakumari who respect the Constitution to unite against such political practices.
Thackeray also confirmed that the developments would be brought to the attention of the Supreme Court. He questioned why the Shinde faction continued to display apprehension despite having secured political realignments in its favour.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised Modi over his meeting with the Shinde faction's MPs.
Referring to the continuing disruptions in Parliament, Raut accused the Prime Minister of avoiding parliamentary proceedings while finding time to host leaders of the rival faction.
"PM Modi has time to throw parties with fafda, dhokla, and jalebi for traitor MPs, but has no time to step into Parliament," Raut said in a social media post, describing the meeting as an "insult to the public and the Constitution".
The political confrontation comes amid ongoing hearings before a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Representing the Thackeray faction, senior advocate Kapil Sibal has challenged the Election Commission of India's decision to allot the Shiv Sena name and election symbol to the Shinde faction, arguing that the decision was based primarily on legislative majority.
Sibal contended that treating legislative strength as the sole criterion undermines the organisational structure and democratic functioning of political parties.