Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP will destroy the Sangh, says Uddhav Thackeray

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge (centre), NCP President Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena-UBT President Uddhav Thackeray during a joint press conference of the INDI Alliance in Vakola. Pic/Atul Kamble

"BJP will destroy the Sangh (RSS), the very organisation responsible for their political birth and existence," said Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray was addressing a joint press conference organised by INDI Alliance-Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) at Grand Hyatt in Vakola on Saturday morning.

Thackeray spoke about several key issues concerning elections. He also criticised the BJP for what he described as their "gaumutradhari Hindutva," accusing the party of distorting the concept of Hindutva for political gains. Thackeray emphasised that the BJP's current interpretation of Hindutva deviates significantly from the inclusive vision originally espoused by his father, Balasaheb Thackeray.

Throwing sharp criticism at his former ally, Thackeray said, "Starting June 4, the country's Jumla fest will formally come to an end. The ‘Acche Din' that PM Modi has been talking about since the 2014 general elections will finally start from June 4 as the INDI Alliance government will come to power."

Highlighting BJP national chief JP Nadda's comments in a national daily, Thackeray said, "Today they are calling us Nakli Sena; tomorrow, they will even call the RSS a nakli sangh. Nadda has already said somewhere one and a half years ago, that the country will have only a single party in the future. It may not be a coincidence, but Nadda recently stated in an interview with a national daily that the BJP has grown from the time it needed the RSS and is now capable of running on its own."

Thackeray added, "Nadda's comments are a hint. It seems the next year, which is the centenary year of the RSS, is dangerous for the Sangh because the BJP will destroy the Sangh too. They will continue with the agenda of running a single-party system across the country. All these are signs and symbols of dictatorship. The organisation which brought them into existence and was responsible for their political birth is now being targeted for elimination."

Reiterating that the BJP had been misusing central agencies to trap people with corruption charges and forcing them to join their party, Thackeray alleged that the BJP cannot stand that Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and that Maharashtra is flourishing. He accused the BJP of intending to loot Maharashtra, saying, "They are looting Mumbai and Maharashtra and taking everything to Gujarat.

When the INDI Alliance comes to power, they will put an end to this loot and restore Maharashtra's glory. Nowhere else has this happened where a prime minister comes down to support an illegal and unconstitutional CM and is promoting dictatorship," Thackeray said. During a press conference, NCP (SCP) national chief Sharad Pawar spoke about the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. Pawar highlighted the sensitivity and proactive measures taken by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards farmers' issues. He recounted that Singh had personally visited Amravati in Maharashtra after a spate of farmer suicides and subsequently waived farm loans worth Rs 72,000 crore to alleviate the financial burdens on farmers.

Pawar also mentioned the external pressures that prevented the implementation of certain farm sector reforms during the UPA regime. He noted that both he and Manmohan Singh had intended to introduce these reforms but were unable to do so due to these pressures. Overall, Pawar's comments aimed to underscore the contrast between the UPA's efforts to support farmers and the current government's approach, which he implied lacks the same level of empathy and effectiveness in addressing agricultural issues.

Meanwhile Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress national President, emphasised the importance of holding the current government accountable for unfulfilled promises, criticising the BJP's handling of various economic and social issues. Hurling a verbal attack on PM Modi, Kharge said: "Throughout my 53 years in politics, I've never witnessed such divisive tactics. This current leadership, under Prime Minister Modi, seems intent on fostering rifts within society, engaging in deceitful politics filled with lies, blackmail, and threats aimed at fragmenting political parties. Even the tactic of snatching party symbols and supporting defections appears orchestrated by Modi himself. This policy of division began in states like Karnataka and Manipur and continues unabated. However, the INDIA alliance is poised to challenge this in the upcoming elections, with strong support suggesting a significant victory in Maharashtra."

Kharge said the INDI alliance is confident about winning 46 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. "Not that BJP and Mahayuti would win zero seats, but whatever they win will be the turncoats." Kharge alleged that Mumbai, the financial capital, has been grossly neglected during Modi's tenure. Emphasising that this election is between people of India Vs Modi Kharge said: "Critical development projects have been stalled, including the much-touted bullet train, underscoring a period of unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities. This election, it's clear that the public is rallying against Modi's rule, motivated by the desire for change and progress that has been long overdue."