In a dramatic political address, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray invoked the epic Ramayana to convey his message and launched a veiled attack on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of betraying the party. Addressing a party convention in Nashik, Thackeray called upon Shiv Sena supporters to take a vow to “politically assassinate” those he deemed as traitors.
Thackeray drew parallels with the character Vali from the Ramayana, a monkey king who allegedly usurped his brother Sugriva’s kingdom. According to Thackeray, just as Lord Ram had to take action against Vali for betraying his own, today’s “Vali” needs to be politically confronted for decamping with Shiv Sena. The party leader urged his supporters to make a resolve to “politically assassinate” those who, in his view, have cheated the saffron flag and deserted Shiv Sena.
“We will surely do political assassination of all those who decamped with our Shiv Sena, cheated the saffron flag, and their masters,” said Thackeray. This statement was a clear reference to the internal dissent within Shiv Sena that led to a vertical split in June 2022, triggered by the rebellion of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Thackeray’s speech included an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suggesting that masks of “Ravanas donning the masks of Lord Ram” need to be torn off. He asserted that Lord Ram is not the property of a single political party and warned against making “BJP-mukt Shri Ram.”
The Shiv Sena leader also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he did not visit Ayodhya during his first term in office (2014-19), despite visiting various countries. Thackeray claimed that Shiv Sena actively campaigned to ensure Modi became the Prime Minister but is now facing false cases.
“Lord Ram was known for keeping his word, whereas you break promises. You forgot those Shiv Sainiks who helped you reach this position. ‘Ram ki baat ho gayi, ab kam ki baat karo’ (Ram’s talk is done, now focus on your work),” Thackeray remarked.
Accusing the BJP of filing false cases against Shiv Sena leaders, Thackeray warned of initiating inquiries against the BJP and sending them to prison once his faction comes to power. He specifically called for an investigation into the PM Cares Fund, referring to it as the source of scams.
The Shiv Sena leader dismissed criticism over his faction’s alliance with the Congress, stating, “They say we became ‘Congresswasi.’ We didn’t become ‘Bhajapawasi’ even after spending 30 years with the BJP. Then how can we become ‘Congresswasi’?” Thackeray also took a historical perspective, mentioning that Syama Prasad Mukherjee had formed a government with the Muslim League.
In a bold statement, Thackeray alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, didn’t participate in the freedom struggle and is now “trying to snatch Independence (of the country).”
The political rhetoric and historical references used by Uddhav Thackeray in his speech reflect the intense and complex political landscape in Maharashtra, marked by shifting alliances, internal dissensions, and a fierce rivalry between Shiv Sena and its former ally, the BJP. Thackeray’s invocation of the Ramayana adds a layer of symbolism to his political narrative, appealing to emotions and historical resonances. As Maharashtra heads towards key political developments, Thackeray’s words are likely to fuel further debates and controversies in the state’s political arena.
