“If the BJP can shower petals on Pakistan’s cricket team..”: Uddhav Thackeray

In a bid to what he claims to save democracy, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday forged a sort of alliance with Socialist parties. Addressing a gathering of 21 socialist parivar parties, Mr. Thackeray said: “If the BJP can shower flowers on Pakistani cricketers at the Narendra Modi stadium, he can also talk to socialist parties”. Mr Thackeray was referring to the welcome the Pakistan cricket team received ahead of the India-Pakistan game on Saturday.

“This alliance has happened at a time when I have nothing to offer, but it will last long because you have joined me when I have no power,” Thackeray said. “Please accept me as I am. We have different ways of thinking but our aim is the same.” an emotional Uddhav Thackeray said.

Now let me take you back in history. The cause after which the Shiv Sena was formed was the Sayukta Maharashtra movement.  The Sayukuta Maharashtra Samiti demanded a separate state of Maharashtra between 1956 to 1960, as a result of the agitation the state of Maharashtra was declared as a separate state on 1st May 1960 with Mumbai as its capital. Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and socialist leaders had come together for the common cause of Samyukta (united) Maharashtra.

Also, It is not the first time that the Shiv Sena has allied with secular and socialist parties or organizations. Since the birth of the party in 1966, the Sena allied with the secular forces 22 times. In fact, ShivSena contested the first election of Mumbai’s municipal corporation in 1968 in alliance with the Praja Samajwadi Party.

Later, as we say there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, The rivalry between socialists and Shiv Sena began after the Shiv Sena’s inclination towards Hindutva grew. So this is history repeating itself at a time when Thackeray is rebuilding his party or you may call it a rebirth.  Thackeray has made it very clear that old differences with socialists were mainly ideological and can be settled for the cause of democracy.

Meanwhile, CM Eknath Shinde reacting to the meeting said:   “Even Balasaheb Thackeray will not forgive such an act of joining hands with Congress and socialists. Uddhav Thackeray has committed the sin of joining hands with socialists who insulted and opposed Balasaheb Thackeray in his lifetime.”