Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday (May 5) said that he would not return to the BJP even if his former ally opens the door for him, and accused the saffron party of resorting to “treachery” to topple his government in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a massive rebellion within the then undivided Shiv Sena. His remarks came while addressing a poll rally at Alibaug in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. He claimed that if the BJP returns to power in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections, crackers will be burst in India as well as in China as there will be a “timid” government in New Delhi.
Thackeray slammed the BJP over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks that Pakistan was eager to make Rahul Gandhi India’s next PM and alleged that the party fearmongers using Pakistan’s name during elections.
Thackeray on Poonch terror attack
Referring to the Poonch terror attack in which one IAF soldier was killed in action and four others were injured, the UBT chief said that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah won’t go there, but visit Maharashtra to destroy him.
One soldier was killed and four were injured after terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday.
“Even if the doors are open, do whatever you want. I will not come to you. And there will be no need to come back to you because you will not be there (in power),” Thackeray said.
His remarks came after PM Modi, in an interview last week, said that he would respect Uddhav Thackeray as Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's son and would be the first person to help him if he is in distress.
Thackeray on splits in parties
Thackeray said PM Modi has only given pain to people till now, but he is ready to campaign for him if people say they are happy with his government's work.
Referring to the upheavals in Shiv Sena and NCP in consecutive years, he said that had the BJP worked for 10 years, it would not have had to engineer splits in the parties.
Accusing the BJP of harbouring hatred for Maharashtra, he said that despite giving over 40 MPs to the NDA in 2019, the state was betrayed.
On BJP's 400-plus seat call, Thackeray said its confidence is growing and its hunger is insatiable. He also alleged that the BJP wants to change the Constitution after getting a brute majority.
(With PTI inputs)
ALSO READ | Lok Sabha elections 2024: Uddhav Thackeray slams BJP, says, 'vote for PM Modi is for destruction'
