'Mogambo Khush Hua': Uddhav Thackeray takes jibe at Amit Shah over Shiv Sena symbol row

"I left the BJP, not Hindutva. BJP is not Hindutva is different and I don't endorse their Hindutva," Uddhav Thackeray.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah quoting an iconic dialogue of the Bollywood film 'Mr India' --"Mogambo khush hua".

"They are doing such low-level politics that they could even take away our 'mashaal' (flaming torch). They can steal the 'bow and arrow' but they can't take out Lord Ram from the hearts of people," Ani quoted Thackeray as saying. Taking swipe at Shah, he said, "...Someone (Amit Shah) who visited Pune yesterday asked how things were going in Maharashtra. Then, he got the replied that EC has taken the decision in their favour. Then, the same person said ' Very well, Mogambo Khush Hua'."

The former chief minister said he has challenged "thieves" to contest the election and win. "The relationship between Kashi and Maharashtra is very old, we did not expect that the decision would be taken so soon. They stole our bow and arrows but now Lord Ram is with us. Yesterday I replied on the road and challenged them that you come in front with your bow, I will come in front of you with my torch," he said. Thackeray further said that he is a Hindu and a Hindutva leader, adding that he has "left the BJP and not Hindutva."

"I left the BJP, not Hindutva. BJP is not Hindutva is different and I don't endorse their Hindutva. I have not abandoned the Hinduism given to me by my father," he said. The former CM said that BJP compelled him to join hands with MVA. "I did not break the alliance (with BJP). The BJP forced me. They pushed me towards MVA," said Thackeray.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray said, "They believe that only those who live in their party are Hindutva. Those talking of Hindutva now, where were they during the riots? Now they are showing about a 56-inch chest, then you were sweating." He further said that today, some of our people have put collars around them and gone to the BJP but his father (Balasaheb Thackeray) never taught him slavery. Notably, both factions of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray) have been fighting for the bow and arrow symbol of the party since Shinde (present Maharashtra Chief Minister) revolted against Thackeray last year.

On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah came down heavily on Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday, accusing him of "surrendering at the feet of (Nationalist Party Congress chief) Sharad Pawar" to become chief minister.

Speaking at an event in Kolhapur, he told the party workers that the BJP and its ally should win all 48 seats. Attacking Thackeray, Shah said, "Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena was surrendered at the feet of Sharad Pawar. (Thackeray) contested Assembly elections with us with the largest cut-outs being that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But after the results were out, he (Thackeray) surrendered at the feet of Pawar."

"We are not greedy for power nor have we ever sacrificed our principles. The last Maharashtra assembly election was contested under the leadership of then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. PM Modi and I had openly said this during our rallies. Despite this, (Thackeray) joined hands with the opposition," he added.

Last June, Shinde launched a rebellion against the party. Majority of MLAs sided with him, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA-comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) government led by Uddhav Thackeray. Later, Shinde was sworn in as the 20th chief minister of Maharashtra, while BJP stalwart Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the deputy CM.

The Election Commission of India on Friday ordered that the party name "Shiv Sena" and the party symbol "Bow and Arrow" will be retained by the Eknath Shinde faction.

The Commission said MLAs backing Eknath Shinde got nearly 76 per cent of votes polled in favour of the 55 winning Shiv Sena candidates in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly.

With inputs from agencies