BJP trying to weaken Mumbai; only Shiv Sena can stop them in Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/X@ShivSenaUBT_

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to weaken the importance of Mumbai and all businesses and industries are being shifted to Gujarat, reported news agency PTI.

Addressing a conclave of veteran Shiv Sainiks, Uddhav Thackeray said only Shiv Sena can stop the BJP in Maharashtra, reported PTI.

"I see an opportunity in the crisis (following a split in Shiv Sena)," he said and appealed to the first generation shiv sainiks to impress upon young workers the indispensability of Sena for Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Marathi people.

The former chief minister accused the BJP of trying to weaken the importance of Mumbai, reported PTI.

"All businesses and industries are being shifted to Gujarat. What is the need for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train?" he questioned.

Uddhav Thackeray said the Coastal Road is being constructed from the funds of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), reported PTI.

He said the Shiv Sena's fight is against autocratic tendencies and not individuals, reported PTI.

"In 2014 and 2019, the BJP tried to destabilize Shiv Sena. But now it has robbed the Sena (a reference to the split caused by Eknath Shinde's rebellion in 2022) and tried to destroy it," Uddhav Thackeray alleged.

He claimed a BJP leader told him in 2014 that when Sena (undivided) was in opposition for a month, the alliance was called off because the BJP wanted to finish off the Sena, reported PTI.

Uddhav Thackeray said the BJP has no patent on Hindutva, reported PTI.

"I still tell people that those who want to leave (Sena) can do so because I don't want traitor-minded people to take credit for our victory," he said.

Referring to PM Modi's criticism of Sharad Pawar during his recent visit to Shirdi, Uddhav Thackeray said the prime minister should first answer what he has done for farmers, reported PTI.

"Why farmers had to protest for several months and why did the Centre have to withdraw the farm laws?" he asked.

Uddhav Thackeray said the allegations of a "COVID scam" were an attempt to malign Maharashtra's image, reported PTI.

"Provisions of the Epidemic Act were in force and the priority was saving the lives of people which we did," the former CM said.

Businessman Sujit Patkar, a friend of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, is a key accused in a case related to alleged irregularities at the jumbo COVID-19 treatment centres set up in Mumbai during the pandemic.

(With inputs from PTI)