Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 16: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday reiterated that he has severed ties with the BJP, not with Hindutva, asserting, “Even if I die, I will not abandon Hindutva.”

Speaking at the Nirdhar Shibir, Thackeray lashed out at the BJP for its 'Saugat-e-Modi' initiative in Bihar, where 32 lakh Muslims reportedly received gifts. “Where was your Hindutva then?” he questioned, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. “In Maharashtra, their policy is ‘Batenge to Katenge’, but in Bihar, it becomes ‘Batenge to Bachenge’,” he said.

Thackeray defended his secular governance during his tenure as Maharashtra CM, claiming it earned him the trust of minorities, which "scared the BJP." Slamming the saffron party for its shifting alliances, he said, “BJP is a party of fake narratives. They went with Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra, and Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir, yet question our Hindutva.”

On the Waqf Amendment Bill, Thackeray justified Shiv Sena UBT's opposition, saying it had no link to Hindutva. He highlighted how AIADMK also opposed the bill but soon entered an alliance with BJP, underscoring the party’s double standards.

Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that Shivaji Maharaj should not be confined to Maharashtra, Thackeray retorted: “His fame is already global. If you truly respect Shivaji Maharaj, declare Shivaji Jayanti a national holiday.”

He also demanded that the proposed Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea be constructed at Raj Bhavan instead, criticizing the behaviour of some Governors. “No one is greater than Shivaji Maharaj. If the Governor doesn't honour his role, shift him elsewhere and build the grand memorial at Raj Bhavan,” he said.

Thackeray concluded by challenging the BJP and RSS to reflect on their leadership record: “Make a list of Congress and RSS chiefs—show us how many Dalits or Muslims have led them.”