The Samajwadi Party’s recent decision to withdraw from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has sparked a war of words between political leaders in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray openly criticised the Maharashtra unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of behaving like the "B team of the BJP."
Thackeray, while speaking to reporters, refrained from directly commenting on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav but took a dig at the state unit. He reiterated Shiv Sena (UBT)'s stance on Hindutva, describing it as inclusive and focused on progress, emphasising “Ram in the heart and work in the hands.”
The SP’s Maharashtra president, Abu Azmi, cited dissatisfaction with the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s alleged communal remarks as a key reason for the split. He criticised the alliance’s coordination efforts during the assembly elections, further declaring on social media that SP stands firmly against communalism.
Azmi also referred to a controversial post shared by Shiv Sena (UBT) showcasing the Babri Masjid alongside Balasaheb Thackeray, which he viewed as divisive.
The split comes amid a backdrop of tension between MVA constituents following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.
The Mahayuti coalition secured 235 seats, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party, claiming 132 seats. In contrast, the MVA suffered significant losses, with Congress managing just 16 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) garnered 20 and 10 seats, respectively.
Adding to the political discourse, Aaditya Thackeray also commented on NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar’s anti-EVM event held in Solapur district. He questioned the effectiveness of mock polls, asserting that such exercises would neither alter the government nor the election results.
In a sharp remark, Thackeray accused the Chief Election Commissioner of prioritising power over truth, saying, “This country runs on ‘Satyameva Jayate,’ but the Chief Election Commissioner operates on ‘Sattameva Jayate.’”
In a broader context, Thackeray touched upon the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties aimed at countering the BJP’s dominance. He emphasised the alliance’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and democracy.
Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has reportedly expressed her willingness to lead the INDIA alliance, Thackeray acknowledged her leadership qualities and underscored the need for alliance leaders to engage in dialogue.
He also mentioned Arvind Kejriwal’s electoral preparations in Delhi, highlighting the alliance’s collective focus on strengthening democracy.
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