Aaditya Thackeray Labels Rebels As ‘Traitors’, Shinde Faction Retaliates

Mumbai, 28th August 2022: Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray intensified his attack on the rebel faction, calling them “traitors”, while the disgruntled faction broke the resolve not to target any member of the Thackeray family and termed the former minister as “Yuvraj”. The MLAs of the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde believe that Aaditya Thackeray has ‘crossed the line’ and is spreading lies against them, making it time to hit back.

The disgruntled MLAs took a jibe at Aditya Thackeray by sitting on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan on the last day of the assembly session, showing banners against him, which read, “Yuvrajanchi Disha Chukli” (Yuvraj has lost his way). Aaditya retaliated and raised slogans of ’50 kiosks, absolutely OK’, accusing the rebel MLAs of rebelling against the party for money. The Uddhav-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government fell in June due to the rebellion of these MLAs.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shinde loyalists had similarly protested on Wednesday, targeting Uddhav and Aaditya, showing banners alleging corruption against the Shiv Sena-controlled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). They alleged that the Thackeray father-son had compromised with Hindutva for power. Some banners read, ‘Raja (Uddhav) stayed in the house for fear of Covid-19, while ‘Yuvraj’ (Aditya) looted the treasure.’

The Shinde faction also raised slogans alleging corruption in the BMC with the support of the Thackeray father-son duo. It is perhaps the first time the MLAs have targeted the Thackeray father-son duo since they rebelled against the Shiv Sena leadership in June. Aaditya has been visiting the constituencies of the rebel MLAs for the past few days and accusing them of stabbing his father in the back when he was ill.

Sada Sarvankar, MLA from Mahim in Mumbai and a member of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, said, “He (Aditya) calls us traitors, but he has stabbed Hindutva in the back by joining hands with NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and Congress.” Sanjay Shirsat, another rebel Shiv Sena MLA, said it was necessary to attack Aditya to “combat the lies” spread by him.

Another rebel Shiv Sena MLA, Yogesh Kadam, said, “Till now, we were silent as the Thackeray surname is associated with him. But if you attack us now, we will not keep silent.”