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The political rivalry between Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray intensified on Vijaya Dashami, with both leaders delivering fiery speeches at their respective rallies in Mumbai. The upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, with dates set to be announced soon, have fueled this political battle, with both factions vying for control of the state.
Shinde, during his address at the Azad Maidan Ground, justified his 2022 rebellion, claiming that he had freed Shiv Sena from those who betrayed the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray. He defended his government's performance, stating that it had completed two years despite initial predictions of its demise. Shinde also compared Shiv Sena (UBT) to Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, accusing them of appeasement politics. He further claimed that Shiv Sena's victory in the Lok Sabha elections was a testament to their position as the true inheritors of the party.
On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Shinde's leadership, criticizing the Dharavi rehabilitation project. He accused the government of selling Dharavi to Adani and promised to cancel the project if his party returned to power. Thackeray also expressed his discontent with the judiciary, calling for swift decisions on crucial matters and voicing his concerns about the perceived influence of political figures on the court. He further highlighted the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue, attributing it to the government's incompetence and vowing to build a temple dedicated to the Maratha warrior king in every district of Maharashtra if elected.
The speeches of both leaders underscored the deep divisions within the Shiv Sena and the ongoing political struggle for dominance in Maharashtra. Shinde's focus on development and his claim to represent the true Shiv Sena ideology stood in stark contrast to Thackeray's emphasis on social justice and his criticisms of the current government's policies. As the election campaign heats up, the battle for Maharashtra will likely see more such confrontations, with both factions seeking to sway voters and secure their place in the political landscape.
Source: Eknath Shinde compares Sena (UBT) with AIMIM at Dussehra rally, Uddhav slams Shivaji statue collapse