MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna on Monday endorsed discussions related to a potential reconciliation between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray and criticised the BJP leadership, including CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, accusing them of causing damage to the state.
While the editorial mentioned Uddhav’s statement that MNS should maintain a distance from the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, MNS insiders called Uddhav’s ‘rider’ odd.
An MNS insider voiced concerns about the UBT Sena’s “conditions” and cited previous unsuccessful reconciliation attempts while underlining that there may be problems for its cadre to get tickets for the upcoming civic polls in Marathi-dominated areas.
On Sunday, MNS Mumbai chief Sandeep Deshpande had stated, “We were betrayed twice by them (UBT Sena), first in 2014 and then in 2017, when we were in discussions for a possible election tie-up, at the last minute.”
With Mumbai’s civic polls approaching, political organisations are seeking alliances to bolster their electoral prospects. Saamna’s Monday editorial alleged that “Shah-Modi, Fadnavis and Shinde along with others attacked Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray to make Maharashtra weak.”
In an apparent reference to Shinde, UBT Sena MP and Saamna editor Sanjay Raut posted a video on X suggesting discussions about his leader’s potential alliance with Raj had unsettled certain groups.
Sena minister Uday Samant said, “Raj takes his own decision and will not bend if anyone sets ‘conditions.'” Sena’s Thane MP Naresh Mhaske called Uddhav a modern-day Duryodhan and said Uddhav’s efforts to reconcile with his cousin were driven by desperation ahead of BMC elections.
He accused Uddhav of denying Raj his rightful place in the party. Raj left for abroad before his interview, recorded a few weeks ago, in which he showed openness to patch up, was put out on Friday, with Uddhav responding positively but with conditions. Raj’s party indicated any directions about a future dialogue would be clarified on his return.
Meanwhile, MNS city chief Deshpande has extended invitations to UBT Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray, BJP’s Ashish Shelar, the Shinde-led Sena and Congress and NCP to attend its ‘shadow corporation house’ near CSMT on April 26 to address public issues. In the absence of a functioning corporation house (as corporator terms ended in 2022), Deshpande has organised this shadow house. The attendance of the invitees remains uncertain.
(Inputs by Manoj Badgeri)