Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday criticised the BJP for its "divide and rule" politics after two senior BJP leaders launched scathing attacks against the Thackeray cousins following recent incidents involving MNS workers assaulting non-Marathi speakers.
In a social media post, Aaditya stated, "Every day, the BJP shows its deep-rooted hatred for Maharashtra!"
Referring to BJP leader Ashish Shelar's statement slamming Raj and Uddhav Thackeray after their recent joint rally, Aaditya said, "Yesterday, the BJP compared Marathis/Maharashtra to Pakistan-based terrorists in Pahalgam - who entered and massacred Hindus due to the BJP government's failure, and still haven't been caught because of the BJP government's failure."
Notably, Shelar had drawn parallels between the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and violent incidents involving MNS workers. "While the two situations aren't identical, both disturb me deeply. In Pahalgam, people were shot for being Hindu. Here in Maharashtra, innocent Hindus are being assaulted for their language. This is profoundly worrying," Shelar had said.
Aaditya also highlighted another BJP leader's comments, saying, "Today, the BJP MP for whom Kashmir's security was apparently deployed days before Pahalgam (for his lavish party) has spouted absolute nonsense against Maharashtra."
This was in reference to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's recent challenge to MNS chief Raj Thackeray (without naming him). "If you're brave enough to beat Hindi speakers, then beat Urdu, Tamil and Telugu speakers too. If you're such a big 'boss', leave Maharashtra - come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu - 'tumko patak patak ke maarenge' (you'll be thrashed repeatedly). This anarchy won't work."
Dubey's comments responded to Raj Thackeray's instruction to workers to beat non-Marathi speakers but avoid recording such acts.
"The question is: Will the BJP sack these third-rate figures, or does this reveal the BJP's true DNA of hating Maharashtra?" Aaditya questioned.
The Worli MLA attacked the BJP over its leaders' statements. "While these comments anger and disgust me, we must recognise this as the BJP's playbook of divide and rule ahead of the Bihar and BMC elections. Beyond their deep-seated hatred for Maharashtra, the BJP only wins elections through hate, division and conflict - never through peace or progress," he said.
Warning about anticipated anti-Marathi rhetoric before BMC elections, he added, "In coming days, BJP proxies will spew hatred against Marathi culture and Maharashtra to provoke reactions and further division. They'll manufacture conflicts between Marathis and specific communities."
"Be warned - this is BJP's politics. Unless they act against these two individuals, we'll know this reflects the BJP's hatred for Maharashtra," he concluded.
