Shift in Alliances: Uddhav Thackeray Addresses BJP Defectors Joining Shiv Sena (UBT)
Mumbai, 20th January 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), highlighting a perceived shift in their stance towards Shiv Sena. Thackeray expressed surprise that individuals who had sought help from the late Balasaheb Thackeray in the past were now seemingly working against Shiv Sena’s interests.
Addressing 11 functionaries who defected from the BJP and the Sangh Parivar to join Shiv Sena (UBT), Thackeray emphasized the resilient nature of the party. Notable among the new entrants were Pradeep Upadhyay, BJP’s North Mumbai district secretary, and Dharma Acharya, the national working president of the Bharatiya Brahmin Swabhiman Parishad.
Thackeray asserted, “We are fighters. Only those who attempt to finish us off will end up finishing themselves. We do not view anyone as an opponent; they consider us opponents. Many are inclined towards power, making it challenging to abandon power and align with those who fight. Shiv Sena played a crucial role in saving Mumbai during the tumultuous period of 1992-93. Balasaheb taught us to extend help to everyone in difficult times.”
The statement comes as a response to shifting political dynamics and defections, reflecting the ongoing evolution of alliances and rivalries in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
