Uddhav Thackeray Must Clarify Stance on Congress’s “Anti-Marathi” Attitude, Demands BJP’s Ashish Shelar

Mumbai BJP President and MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar has called on Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray to clarify his position on the Congress’s alleged neglect of Marathi representation in Mumbai. Shelar’s remarks come in light of Congress’s recent candidate list for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, which includes only two Marathi candidates out of eleven selected to run from Mumbai on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance ticket.

At a press briefing on Monday, Shelar criticized the Congress party for its “consistent disregard” for Marathi representation, claiming this was part of a historical pattern. Recalling the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Shelar noted that Congress once opposed Maharashtra’s formation as a Marathi-speaking state, during which over a hundred Marathi protestors lost their lives. “Congress’s latest candidate list shows that its anti-Marathi stance continues even today,” Shelar stated. “It’s time for Uddhav Thackeray to tell Maharashtrians where he stands on this.”

Present at the media event were BJP state chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye, state media in-charge Navnath Ban, and spokesperson Omprakash Chauhan.

Shelar argued that the Maharashtra public should recognize the differences in governance between the MVA and the Mahayuti alliance, of which BJP is a part. “In two and a half years, the MVA stalled development projects, while the Mahayuti is committed to driving progress across the state. This election is an opportunity for the people to choose a government focused on Maharashtra’s growth,” he asserted.

Pointing to recent disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir, Shelar suggested that instability and increased crime are by-products of I.N.D.I. Alliance members’ influence in states. “In any state where MVA partners are involved, social unrest rises,” he claimed. “The Mahayuti represents stability, while the MVA only brings instability and insecurity.”

Shelar also condemned Congress’s state president Nana Patole for accusing Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla of supporting the Mahayuti government, labeling the accusations as baseless. He indicated that legal action could follow if Patole does not retract his statements, and urged the Election Commission to intervene. “Congress can’t continue to undermine officials with baseless allegations. They praise the Election Commission when things go their way, but complain of bias when it doesn’t,” Shelar said, adding that Congress may soon blame the commission for their expected defeat.

Adv. Shelar also accused the MVA alliance, and especially Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, of associating with individuals sympathetic to Yakub Memon, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai bombings. He further claimed that some individuals involved in Thackeray’s campaign include convicted figures. “It’s imperative that voters reject the MVA’s dangerous politics and back the Mahayuti’s commitment to a safe and stable Maharashtra,” he urged.