'Stealing a Thackeray': Uddhav on estranged cousin Raj's possible BJP tie-up

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday slammed the BJP for "stealing a Thackeray" to win elections in the state, a jibe aimed at the recent meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing a gathering in Nanded district, Uddhav Thackeray also said the BJP would not get votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Maharashtra.

"First, they stole the photo of Bal Thackeray, but it doesn't matter. Today, they are trying to steal another Thackeray. Take it, I and my people are enough," he said while concluding his two-day tour of Nanded and Hingoli districts in the Marathwada region.

"BJP knows very well that they don't get votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi in Maharashtra. People vote here in the name of (Bal) Thackeray. This realisation prompted the BJP to try to steal leaders from outside (BJP fold)," he said.

Uddhav Thackeray's criticism of the BJP follows a meeting between Raj Thackeray and Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi earlier in the day. Speculation suggests that the BJP is considering an alliance with Raj Thackeray's party to strengthen its coalition in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Uddhav Thackeray, whose party is a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the opposition-led INDIA bloc, also claimed that Christians and Muslims have no issue with his style of Hindutva.

"The image of Shiv Sena (undivided) was getting sullied when we were with the BJP. But since we severed ties with them, even members of Christian and Muslim communities are saying that they have no issues with our Hindutva ideology," he added.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) senior leader Sanjay Raut alleged that BJP and the MNS are trying to forge an alliance as they are afraid of Maha Vikas Aghadi's success.

"Maharashtra Navnirman Sena joins the BJP-led 'Mahayuti', it will have no impact on state politics. These developments are taking place out of fear of seeing the success of MVA," Raut said.

Raj Thackeray's split from the Shiv Sena in 2006, during its undivided phase, stemmed from his disagreements with cousin Uddhav Thackeray. After parting ways with Shiv Sena, Raj Thackeray formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Notably, despite being recognised as a compelling speaker and holding a significant base, Raj Thackeray's MNS has not achieved substantial influence in the state.