Shinde Sena Slams Uddhav Over Reunion Talks With Raj Thackeray, Calls UBT Chief 'Modern-Day Duryodhan'

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Monday launched a scathing attack on Uddhav Thackeray amid reports suggesting a potential political rapprochement between him and his cousin, Raj Thackeray.

The party accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief of previously obstructing Raj's growth within the undivided party, branding Uddhav as the "modern-day Duryodhan".

Photo Credit: PTI

Shiv Sena spokesperson and Thane MP Naresh Mhaske dismissed the speculation, attributing it to Uddhav Thackeray's desperation to remain politically relevant. He alleged that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader was reaching out to Raj Thackeray because his faction lacks leaders capable of drawing large crowds.

"Sena (UBT) has no charismatic leaders left. This reality has led them to approach Raj Thackeray. The party is struggling to stay afloat in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha," Mhaske said.

He went on to claim that Uddhav Thackeray consistently resisted efforts to elevate Raj within the undivided Shiv Sena, even when their late uncle, Balasaheb Thackeray, had proposed granting Raj significant responsibilities. "Uddhav opposed Raj's rise vehemently," Mhaske told PTI.

Mhaske expressed confidence that Raj Thackeray would not be swayed by any such outreach. "He was ousted from the united Sena. Now they want him to join a sinking ship - but Raj isn't politically naïve," he asserted.

He also accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) of displaying "double standards" on Hindutva, citing their opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and resistance to introducing Hindi as a medium of instruction from Classes 1 to 5.

"They're opposing Hindi for political mileage, even though it's already taught after Class 5. They're merely stoking sentiments to secure votes," Mhaske claimed.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) leader Sanjay Nirupam took a jibe at Uddhav Thackeray, mocking his faction's apparent weakness by suggesting they are left with no choice but to align with either the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) or rely on Muslim votes.

"If the two brothers - Uddhav and Raj - and their parties wish to unite, it's their business. But today, Uddhav's position is such that he needs the Congress to win elections, or he compromises with Muslim votes. His party has grown so weak that he's now extending an olive branch to the MNS," Nirupam told ANI in Mumbai.

He also provocatively described Uddhav's faction as resembling 'Muslim League' and questioned whether the MNS would consider partnering with a party that had openly opposed the Waqf Act.