Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of exploiting the Ram Temple issue for political gains and alleging that the recent defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs was part of a larger political strategy orchestrated to weaken his leadership.
Addressing a public rally in Parbhani, Thackeray referred to the BJP as the "Babar Janata Party," claiming that the party had "opened a shop in the name of Lord Ram" instead of upholding the ideals associated with the temple movement.
"Our Hindutva is nationalism. Whoever considers this country their own, even if they are a Muslim, belongs to us. Our Hindutva believes in 'Lord Ram in the heart, employment for every hand, and fair prices for farmers.' You did not build a temple; you opened a shop in the name of Ram to plunder. The BJP has now become the 'Babar Janata Party'," Thackeray said.
His remarks came amid the ongoing political turmoil following the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Among them is Parbhani MP Sanjay Jadhav, whose constituency Thackeray visited as part of his statewide outreach programme.
Dismissing the narrative surrounding the defections, Thackeray claimed that the much-discussed "Operation Tiger" was, in reality, "Operation Devendra Fadnavis."
"This is not 'Operation Tiger'; it is 'Operation Devendra Fadnavis.' Just as leaders in other states have been sidelined after serving their purpose, a similar process has begun here. Those who have the potential to emerge as national leaders are cut down before they can rise," he alleged.
Thackeray also claimed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared politically isolated.
"I recently travelled with Fadnavis on a flight. He looked like a man who had lost confidence because he knew his own party was clipping his wings. When your own leadership sidelines you, whom do you seek justice from?" he said.
Drawing a parallel with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Thackeray alleged that senior BJP leaders in Maharashtra were being systematically weakened within the party.
Targeting the rebel MPs, Thackeray asserted that their electoral success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was due to the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray rather than the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The MP elected from here did not win because of the Modi wave. People voted for Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy and the Mashal symbol. Joining hands with the BJP after winning on that mandate is an insult to Maharashtra's self-respect and to the voters," he said.
