A fresh political war of words has erupted in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai questioned the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s decision to organise a Maha Aarti, alleging that the move was aimed at creating a political spectacle rather than reflecting a genuine commitment to Hindutva.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Desai challenged the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp to clarify whether it had secured the consent of its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies before announcing the religious programme.
“… The people of UBT are now going to perform the Maha Aarti. They should clarify whether they have obtained a no-objection certificate from their alliance partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi or not. Because when the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed, and he (Uddhav Thackeray) was to become the Chief Minister, he set aside the ideology of Hindutva, but when he realised that people across Maharashtra and the entire country are turning towards the ideology of Hindutva, they are now trying to make a show off… Everyone knows that their idea of Hindutva is not permanent…” Desai said.
His remarks come amid intensifying political competition between the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), with both factions attempting to strengthen their appeal ahead of upcoming political battles in the state.
Desai alleged that the UBT’s renewed emphasis on Hindutva was driven by changing political circumstances rather than ideological conviction. He claimed the party had distanced itself from Hindutva after forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and was now attempting to reconnect with the issue after sensing a shift in public mood.
The latest remarks are expected to further escalate the political confrontation between the rival Shiv Sena factions, with Hindutva once again emerging as a key point of contention in Maharashtra politics.
