Mumbai:Aaditya Thackeray, a Cabinet Minister and Shiv Sena leader, has responded for the first time to reports that a ‘Matoshree’ (also the name of the Thackeray residence) was mentioned in Shiv Sena leader and former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav’s diary was purportedly recovered by Income Tax officials during a raid.
Responding to a question from reporters, Mr Thackeray said, “We have to decide how much to believe these rumours. Defamation is being done by spreading rumours, the system is being used. It’s a political conspiracy. This dirty politics must stop.”
The Thackeray family lives in Kalanangar, Mumbai’s Bandra district, and their home is known as ‘Matoshree.’ Sainiks (Shiv Sena workers) frequently use the term Matoshree to refer to the party’s highest leadership. The word literally means ‘Mother.’
The BJP is trying to corner the Shiv Sena on this issue and has been taking potshots using the media reports about the diary. The Income Tax department has made no mention of the diary anywhere so far.
Yashwant Jadhav, a Shiv Sena leader and former BMC standing committee chairman, was raided by the Income Tax Department last month. According to reports, a considerable sum of money was also recovered during the raids. While there has been no official word on the seizures, various media outlets have reported that a diary was discovered at Yashwant Jadhav’s home, with the supposed diary stating that Matoshree was handed Rs. 2 crore and a Rs. 50 lakh watch. ‘Matoshree’ is said to relate to Mr Jadhav’s mother, according to reports.
On the question of the possibility of the Shiv Sena re-aligning with the BJP in the future, Aaditya Thackeray said, “You decide what will you do if someone harasses you unnecessarily.”
Ajit Pawar, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s Deputy Chief Minister, recently stated that in politics, there is no permanent enemy or friend, generating concern of a potential realignment in the state.
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