Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday called the Maharashtra unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP) “BJP’s B-Team”. Responding to Abu Azmi’s remarks about the SP quitting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Aaditya remarked, “I would not like to comment much on them. Akhilesh Yadav is fighting his fight, but the SP here (Maharashtra unit of SP) sometimes behaves like the B team of BJP.”
According to news agency ANI, he reiterated his party’s stance on Hindutva, stating, “Our Hindutva is clear. We have never said we are not Hindutvawadi. Our Hindutva has Ram in the heart and kaam (work) in the hands. Our Hindutva takes everyone together. B teams should not teach us. Maharashtra has seen Uddhav Thackeray take everyone forward together.”
#WATCH | Mumbai: On reports of SP quitting MVA in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray says, “I would not like to comment much on them. Akhilesh Yadav is fighting his fight but the SP here (Maharashtra unit of SP) sometimes behaves like the B team of BJP…Our… pic.twitter.com/OCFBWVnLHI
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024
SP MLA Rais Shaikh refuted Aaditya’s remarks, questioning the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s ideological direction. “We have raised two questions. Firstly, are you moving towards a hardcore Hindutva ideology? Secondly, we asked, who gave you the votes? Without clarifying these points, Aaditya has made an accusation that we strongly oppose. This is wrong, and we will engage in talks with senior leaders regarding this,” Shaikh said, as quoted by news agency IANS.
Mumbai: On Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks that the Samajwadi Party is the B team of BJP in Maharashtra, SP MLA Rais Shaikh says, “…We have raised two questions. Firstly, are you moving towards a hardcore Hindutva ideology? Secondly, we asked, who gave you the… pic.twitter.com/KNFkBuoGTP
— IANS (@ians_india) December 8, 2024
Abu Azmi Announces Samajwadi Party’s Exit From MVA As Fault Lines Emerge In INDIA Bloc
The remarks came after Abu Asim Azmi, the SP’s Maharashtra unit chief, announced his party’s withdrawal from the MVA on Saturday. Azmi cited a newspaper advertisement celebrating the Babri Masjid demolition and a related social media post by Uddhav Thackeray’s aide, Milind Narvekar, as the reasons for the decision. Narvekar’s post featured a photo of the demolition accompanied by a quote from Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray: “I am proud of those who did this.”
“We are quitting the MVA. I am speaking to Akhilesh Yadav,” Azmi told news agency PTI. He criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) for reopening old wounds, questioning the Congress’s ability to ally with such parties. “If anyone in the MVA speaks such language, what is the difference between the BJP and them? Why should we stay with them?” Azmi asked. ALSO READ | SP To Exit MVA Over Sena-UBT’s Remarks On Babri Masjid Demolition, Abu Azmi Casts Doubt Over Allaince’s Survival
However, SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand distanced the party’s national leadership from Azmi’s decision. “The national leadership will decide on the SP’s alliance with others. Abu Asim Azmi is a senior leader, but it is upon the central leadership to decide,” Chaand told PTI. He also emphasised the need for opposition unity under the INDIA bloc to challenge the BJP.
The announcement has exposed fault lines within the opposition INDIA bloc. Senior Congress leader Nitin Raut stated that discussions with the SP would be held to understand their grievances. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav questioned the timing of the SP’s realisation about the Shiv Sena’s stance, accusing the SP of leaning towards the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition.
According to PTI, political analysts note that while the SP’s exit may not significantly impact the MVA due to its limited presence in Maharashtra, the move signals a broader trend of dissatisfaction among regional parties within the INDIA bloc. The alliance has already faced challenges, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently calling for a stronger role within the coalition following electoral setbacks for the Congress in various states.
ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar Backs Mamata Banerjee As INDIA Bloc Leader, UP Congress President Says ‘No One Else Can…’
The fallout comes ahead of crucial civic elections in Maharashtra and the Delhi Assembly election where the ruling AAP and its INDIA bloc ally Congress will be facing off against each other.
