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Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Uddhav Thackeray's faction of the Shiv Sena on Wednesday, labeling it as "nakli" (fake) and predicting that it would eventually merge with the Congress party, along with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Modi's remarks came during an election rally in Dindori district, Maharashtra, where he cited statements attributed to NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who had suggested that several regional parties may align more closely with Congress or even merge with it in the near future.
Modi asserted that the "fake Shiv Sena" and "fake Nationalist Party" would undoubtedly merge with Congress, a development that he said would evoke memories of Balasaheb Thackeray, the late founder of the Shiv Sena. Thackeray had once declared that if he ever felt that the Shiv Sena had become indistinguishable from Congress, he would disband the party, implying that the "fake Shiv Sena" would eventually cease to exist.
Pawar has since clarified that he did not discuss his party's merger with Congress but instead emphasized their collaborative efforts. However, in a newspaper interview, Pawar acknowledged that various regional parties could forge stronger alliances with Congress or consider merging with it in the coming years.
Modi also criticized Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) for declining invitations to the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya, accusing them of betraying Balasaheb Thackeray's dream of a grand Ram temple. He alleged that Congress had "rejected" the invitation and that the "fake Shiv Sena" had followed suit, exposing their "sinful partnership." Modi further denounced Congress for its approach to reservations in India, accusing them of resorting to vote bank politics and opposing budget allocation and reservations based on religious considerations.
In contrast, Modi emphasized that his BJP-led government at the center never considers religion when formulating plans or implementing schemes, highlighting the importance of unity and equality.
Source: PM Modi hurls ‘nakli’ jibe at Uddhav Thackeray's Sena faction: ‘Balasaheb said…’