The BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was 'insulted' after being made to sit on the last bench during the INDIA bloc meeting chaired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday.
The meeting saw participation from 50 representatives of 25 opposition parties, including SP’s Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, NC president Farooq Abdullah, and PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, among others.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have a history of slighting Uddhav Thackeray and the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
“When Uddhavji was with the BJP, we gave him front-row respect at rallies and meetings. But at the INDIA bloc meet, Rahul Gandhi forced him to the back bench. This is how they treat the Thackerays,” Upadhaye said.
He further claimed Congress leaders have never called Balasaheb Thackeray the “Hindu Hridaysamrat,” visited Matoshree, or paid floral tributes at his memorial — unlike several BJP leaders, including Amit Shah in 2019.
'Uddhav Has Lost His Respect'
Upadhaye accused Uddhav Thackeray of abandoning Hindutva and his ideology, saying, “He has lost his respect. Now he’s been pushed to the back benches.”
Shinde Sena MP Naresh Mhaske added that Uddhav’s son Aaditya Thackeray and party leader Sanjay Raut were also seated at the back.
“The Congress has shown them their worth,” Mhaske remarked.
UBT Sena Clarifies Seating Choice
Reacting to the row, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut denied any slight.
“The meeting was in an open space with a giant screen. Uddhavji sat behind because he could see the screen better from there. Aaditya and I joined him,” Raut explained.
