Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena party, recently addressed a rally at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. During his speech, he challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to fulfill the vision of late Hindutva philosopher V D Savarkar and create an “Akhand Bharat.” Thackeray also criticized the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the “Savarkar Gaurav yatra” and claimed that the sacred saffron flag doesn’t look good in their hands.
Thackeray recounted how Savarkar endured harsh prison sentences and other difficulties to secure the nation’s independence. He stated that Savarkar faced such problems for the nation, not to install Modi as prime minister. Thackeray asked whether the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena would fulfill Savarkar’s dream of “akhand Bharat,” and reminded them to adhere to the principles of Sardar Patel and Savarkar.
Thackeray also took a dig at Prime Minister Modi’s academic credentials, stating that any college would be proud if one of its graduates rose to the position of prime minister. He mentioned how he and NCP’s Jayant Patil were honored by their alma mater, Balmohan Vidyamandir, when they were elected as chief minister and minister in his administration.
Thackeray questioned Amit Shah’s earlier statement that the BJP in Maharashtra should show Uddhav Thackeray where he belonged, asking when they were going to reveal the location in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Thackeray’s speech comes after recent communal violence in the country and highlights the political tensions between different parties.
