The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday announced a joint protest on October 13 against alleged corruption and misgovernance in the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), fueling speculation of a possible alliance for the upcoming civic polls.
According to the news agency PTI, at a joint press conference, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav and Sena (UBT) leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Rajan Vichare accused the TMC of rampant corruption, mismanagement, and neglect of basic civic infrastructure.
Thane is suffering from severe traffic congestion, unauthorised constructions, stalled projects, and administrative apathy, the leaders alleged, according to PTI.
Vichare took a swipe at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is also Thane`s strongman, and said, “Despite having a Rs 3,000 crore budget, the TMC is in debt. The city still lacks a dedicated dam for drinking water, even though someone who was CM and is now deputy CM represents this area.”
Jadhav added, “From now on, our fight will be united. The next elections won`t be won with money, but with public support and the truth about corruption.”
Local units of Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) will also join the protest, the leaders confirmed.
When asked about the apparent warming of ties between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Vichare said, “We are coming together on a common issue.”
The joint action follows the cousins` meeting on October 5 during a family function, marking their fifth public meeting since July. The civic elections for Thane, BMC, and other bodies are expected later this year.
Some are wearing `blindfolds`, must explain to them what true Hindutva and patriotism are: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday that some people are wearing “blindfolds” and it is necessary to explain to them what true Hindutva and patriotism are.
He was addressing a small group of party workers outside his home, `Matoshri` in suburban Bandra.
Thackeray took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the rival Shiv Sena, over his image on banners, welcoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Bandra Kurla Complex, and said ministers are obsessed with their publicity.
“Did you (Shinde) manage to get even closer to him (Starmer)? They have gone crazy over self-publicity,” he said.
In a veiled attack on the BJP, he said, “It is necessary to explain true patriotism and Hindutva. Some people are wearing blindfolds.”
He said flood-hit farmers are in despair, and the government has announced a package of `deceit` for them. Thackeray was referring to the recent financial assistance declared for farmers, who have lost crops due to heavy rains and floods.
The former chief minister will take part in a protest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday against the `inadequate` financial package for the farmers.
(With PTI inputs)
