Latest news with #Sainiks
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘What Maharashtra wants will happen': Uddhav Thackeray confirms talks with MNS; Sanjay Raut hints ‘process has begun'
Amid growing talks over a possible reconciliation with cousin Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Friday confirmed that discussions—at least informally—are underway with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), saying that the party is now looking into 'minute details' of a potential alliance. 'There is no confusion in my mind or that of my Shiv Sainiks. Even MNS workers are in touch with us, and there is no confusion in their minds either,' Uddhav told reporters at his residence, Matoshree. When asked directly about the status of the talks, he replied, 'Let us contemplate some minute details.' He added, 'I will not give a message—I will give news. And what is in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra—that will happen.' Uddhav's remarks come a day after Raj's son Amit hit out at Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders for giving sound bites daily and instead called for a direct conversation between the two cousins. 'Alliances are not formed through media sound bites or newspaper headlines. Direct dialogue is necessary,' Amit had said on Thursday, adding that the two leaders have each other's phone numbers. He revealed that it was Raj who had taken the initiative to start talks, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic when he called Uddhav, then the Maharashtra chief minister, but also earlier in 2014 and 2017. Asked about his own views, Amit said, 'Whatever Raj Thackeray wants is what I want,' but reiterated that 'two brothers should talk — others talking won't help.' On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut added to the momentum, saying that the 'process has begun'. 'We Sainiks are positive because the two leaders—the brothers—are positive. When we talk about phone calls between them, who knows? Maybe they have already spoken. How would we know?' Raut told reporters. 'Once the due process is completed, you will see the fruits of it. There is positivity among the workers of both parties,' he said. Raut also quipped that he may soon visit Raj's residence. 'I may drop by Raj Thackeray's house for tea. After all, it is my house too.' The growing signals of rapprochement between the once-bitter rivals have now triggered responses across the political spectrum. The Congress, a key ally of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), extended support to the development. 'If two brothers are coming together, we welcome it,' said party spokesperson Atul Londhe. However, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar offered a more guarded view. 'If the two brothers are coming together or not, it is their lookout. What and how can we comment on that?' Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, speaking earlier this week, had also signalled openness to the idea of working together. 'Anyone who is committed to the welfare of Maharashtra and the Marathi people is welcome,' he had said, citing a recent protest jointly held by Sena (UBT)'s Deepesh Mhatre and MNS's Raju Patil as an example of coordination on the ground. Despite the continued exchange of goodwill from both camps, political observers, however, remain cautious. 'Unless there's a face-to-face meeting between Uddhav and Raj, the rest is conjecture. But Uddhav's remark today is the closest we have seen to confirmation,' a senior analyst said. Raj Thackeray had split from the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 and launched the MNS in 2006, following a bitter succession dispute in the Thackeray family.
News18
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Will Blacken Face': Sena (UBT) Leader Threatens Rahul Gandhi Over His Remarks Against Savarkar
Last Updated: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bala Darade vowed to blacken Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's face for his past 'derogatory' remarks about Hindu idealogue V D Savarkar. A massive row broke out after within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bala Darade vowed to blacken Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's face for his past 'derogatory' remarks about Hindu idealogue and freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. While addressing an event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Savarkar, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s leader from Nashik said that the Shiv Sainiks would not tolerate any insult to Savarkar and if Rahul Gandhi dared to come to Nashik, they would blacken his face or pelt stones at him. 'We live in Savarkar's land (Nashik). If Rahul Gandhi dares to come to Nashik, we will blacken his face. If not that, we will pelt stones. Even if we are part of the MVA, we will not think about it and show what Sainiks are," Darade said as quoted by Indian Express. The grand old party strongly objected to Darade's remarks against the Leader of Opposition with Maharashtra state unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal terming the comments 'deeply unfortunate." 'Rahul Gandhi's father, Rajiv Gandhi, and grandmother, Indira Gandhi, sacrificed their lives for India's unity. Congress and its leadership are not afraid of such threats," Sapkal said. He further asserted that Gandhi's views on Savarkar were grounded in 'publicly available historical records". 'His comments contain historical references. Even (journalist and writer) Arun Shourie, a minister in the Vajpayee government, has written a book on Savarkar, and most references in that book are what Rahul Gandhi has said. Our workers are capable of tackling such threats," he added as quoted by media reports. Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare distanced the party from the statement and said that Darade's views were his own and not the official stand of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. What Rahul Gandhi Had Said? Rahul Gandhi has time and again accused Savarkar of bowing down to the British, calling him a 'maafiveer". His remarks have drawn massive backlash from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other Maharashtra parties in the past. Earlier, particularly during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi had accused Savarkar of betraying the freedom movement by submitting mercy petitions to the British Last month, the Supreme Court had warned the Congress leader against passing defamatory statements about freedom fighters and said that he cannot make remarks 'without knowing the history". The top court further said that it would take suo motu cognisance of the matter if Rahul Gandhi repeats such statements. First Published: May 28, 2025, 20:52 IST
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Will blacken his face, pelt stones': Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bala Darade threatens Rahul Gandhi over Savarkar remark
A fresh controversy erupted within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bala Darade on Tuesday threatened to blacken the face of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi if he visits Nashik, to protest against his past remarks on Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal termed the comments from a member of an ally as 'deeply unfortunate'. Speaking at a Savarkar Jayanti event in the city, Darade, the Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy city chief in Nashik, said that the Sainiks would not tolerate any insult to Savarkar and if Rahul dared to come to Nashik, they would blacken his face or pelt stones at him. 'We live in Savarkar's land (Nashik). If Rahul Gandhi dares to come to Nashik, we will blacken his face. If not that, we will pelt stones. Even if we are part of the MVA, we will not think about it and show what Sainiks are,' Darade said. The remark drew criticism from Congress leaders, with Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal terming the comments 'deeply unfortunate,' stressing that Gandhi's views on Savarkar were grounded in 'publicly available historical records'. 'There is a difference between historical critique and incitement. Such statements would not be tolerated…grassroots Congress workers are capable of giving befitting replies to such statements,' Sapkal said. Former state minister Yashomati Thakur termed Darade's statement 'irresponsible and inflammatory,' and issued a warning. 'Let them try touching Rahul Gandhi. We will give a befitting reply,' she said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare, however, distanced the party from the statement and said that when any leader makes such a statement in a personal capacity, it does not make it the party's official stand. 'It may be his personal statement. This does not become the party's stand,' Andhare said. Earlier, particularly during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi had accused Savarkar of betraying the freedom movement by submitting mercy petitions to the British — remarks that have long riled both the BJP and sections of the Shiv Sena (UBT). Political observers say that with municipal elections imminent in Nashik, Pune, and Thane — cities where Savarkar retains considerable symbolic heft — the timing of the outburst could affect campaign narratives. The BJP, which has long positioned itself as the sole custodian of Savarkar's legacy, is also expected to weaponise the row to underscore what it sees as the MVA's 'opportunistic contradiction'.
