Hitting out at the BJP-led Central government, Uddhav said that autonomous institutions had become slaves of the Modi government and politics was being done by hatching conspiracies. Taking another dig at PM Modi, Uddhav said people used to wear Modi’s mask and come to meetings, now Modi has to come to Maharashtra wearing Balasaheb’s (Thackeray’s) mask. Uddhav said that the people of Maharashtra were not stupid they know which is a mask and which is the real face.
Uddhav held a meeting of MLAs and MPs who are still backing his faction and told them to prepare for the BMC polls, indicting that the Shinde-Fadnavis government could announce civic polls in the next few weeks when the Sena (UBT) is busy tackling legal issues and its cadre is confused after the party’s name and symbol going to CM Shinde’s faction and it emerging as a real Shiv Sena at least in the eyes of the EC. Uddhav reportedly told senior leaders to hit the ground for the BMC polls and the Sena has already prepared alternative symbols in case the flaming torch symbol is taken away. Around half a dozen alternate symbols have been shortlisted and a new set of names were also discussed. However, a senior leader said that they were hopeful that the Supreme Court (SC) will give them relief next week. Uddhav also told the leaders that there could be a massive sympathy wave in the Sena’s (UBT) favour if early polls are held and asked functionaries to mobilise the cadre and not let the sympathy factor die down.
“From the deceitful intrigue with which they are playing politics, they can also take away our mashaal (flaming torch). However, my appeal is that if those who stole the bow and arrow are men, come to the election battleground with the bow and arrow they stole, I will come before you with the mashaal. Let’s see who wins. Because it takes a man to shoot a bow and arrow,” Uddhav said addressing a gathering of Sena (UBT) workers from an open top SUV outside Matoshree, the Thackeray family home in Kalanagar in Bandra (East).
In major setback for Uddhav Thackeray, EC recognises Eknath Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena
“They have stolen the name of Shiv Sena, and “bow and arrow”. Shiv Sena party will not finish. Autonomous institutions have become slaves of the Modi government. Politics is being done by hatching conspiracies. Our poll symbol of Mashaal may also be taken away. Today the name Shiv Sena and the bow and arrow symbol has been stolen. But those who have stolen it do not know that they have thrown a stone at the beehive. They have so far enjoyed honey collected by bees. They have not yet been stung by a bee. But now that time has come. There is no party that has suffered this kind blow in the last 75 years of democracy. The BJP as well as the Prime Minister may think that the Shiv Sena party can be finished. But no matter how many generations come, Shiv Sena will not finish,” Uddhav said.
Uddhav Thackeray trains his guns on Election Commission after losing election symbol
“The EC has become a slave. After retirement, he (Election Commissioner) may become a governor somewhere. Because a judge has just become the governor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP have kept such slaves around. It’s time for Maharashtra’s owners to decide who belongs to Shiv Sena. They want the Thackeray name. They want Balasaheb Thackeray’s face. But not the Shiv Sena family. Our name Shiv Sena was given to a thief. Our sacred bow and arrow was given to a thief. They may even take away our symbol of mashal (flaming torch). My challenge is that if those who stole the bow and arrow are men, they should come to the polls with the stolen bow and arrow. I stand with a torch. Let’s see what happens,” Uddhav said among hundreds of Sena (UBT) supporters flanked by senior party leaders.
“Let the people decide who owns the bow and arrow. Ask anyone who Shiv Sena belongs to. They have a game going on. They want Thackeray’s name, Balasaheb’s face. They were accusing us by saying we use Modi’s name. We had an alliance then. Then people used to wear Modi’s mask and come to meetings, now Modi has to come to Maharashtra wearing Balasaheb’s mask. However, the people of Maharashtra are not stupid. The public knows which is the mask and which is the real face,” Uddhav said.
