BMC Elections 2022: Uddhav Thackeray would not attend PM Modi's award ceremony

The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government snubbed its erstwhile ally on Sunday, indicating that it was prepared for a protracted political battle in response to the BJP's repeated threats of imposition of President's Rule, deployment of central probe agencies, and attempts to create communal tension.

 

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was conspicuously absent from a gathering when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with the first Lata Mangeshkar Award, demonstrating the snub. Subhash Desai, a prominent Shiv Sena minister, represented the MVA government, but Thackeray declined to go because his name was not featured in the official invitation. Among those in attendance were State Governor BS Koshyari and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

 

Shinde took part in a sit-in protest at Matoshree on Sunday against the Rana couple's threat to recite the Hanuman Chalisa, declaring adamantly in Pushpa-style that Shiv Sainiks will not bow down. Thackeray's rare action was intended to convey a strong message to party cadres ahead of the BMC elections that he will always be there for them in good times and bad. Thackeray also made it clear that, despite being Chief Minister, he has not separated himself from the working class.

 

The BJP was dealt another setback when the state government filed charges under the Sedition Act against MLA Ravi Rana and his MP wife Navneet, who was arrested by Mumbai Police on Saturday for allegedly inciting hatred amongst different groups. Despite being elected as independents, the Rana pair is recognized for their close ties to the BJP and its senior leadership.

 

The pair was charged with sedition for challenging the government apparatus and promoting discontent with it, according to the authorities. Significantly, the sedition charge was brought against PM Modi when he was in the city; paradoxically, the BJP has been repeatedly chastised for its use of the Sedition Act. The filing of sedition charges against the Rana couple is the first of its kind in Maharashtra in recent memory.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @CMOMaharashtra