Raj Thackeray Calls Maharashtra Politics a Slave Market
Interestingly, his remarks came two days after his party announced support for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation, which has not gone well with its pre-poll alliance partner Shiv Sena (UBT).
Mumbai:Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday stated that the politics in the state had become a ‘marketplace of slaves’ amid the reports of shifting of political loyalties after the municipal elections.
Addressing a programme to mark the beginning of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth centenary, the MNS chief said, “Today the political situation in Maharashtra and the country has become very bad. A slave market has been set up. After seeing today’s picture in Maharashtra, I feel that it is a good thing that Balasaheb is not there.”
Interestingly, his remarks came two days after his party announced support for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation, which has not gone well with its pre-poll alliance partner Shiv Sena (UBT).
“Balasaheb prepared people in this country to vote in the name of Hindutva. Till then, even the BJP had no idea of this. Balasaheb spread this idea (of Hindutva) across the country. If he was here today and had seen the market of Hindutva that has been put up, he would have definitely been upset,” Raj added.
Earlier in a post on X, Raj Thackeray underlined the need for ‘flexibility’ in politics, a trait he said was also practised by his uncle. “Even when Balasaheb had to take a flexible stance in politics… his love for the Marathi people did not diminish, even by a fraction. On the contrary, it only grew stronger. These are the values instilled in us,” he said.
The post came amid controversy over the role of the MNS’ support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
Speaking in the birth anniversary programme, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav said the name ‘Thackeray’ will not be wiped out. He also said that Maharashtra has ‘a curse of treachery.’ “Treachery is an age-old issue (in Maharashtra). If there had been no treachery, Maharashtra would have changed the course of world history,” said Uddhav.
