Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has made allegations against former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that Thackeray sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to avoid actions from investigating agencies.
Shinde, speaking in the Legislative Council, asserted that Thackeray visited Delhi and appealed to PM Modi to establish a coalition government in Maharashtra but reconsidered upon returning to the state.
Shinde accused Thackeray's faction, Shiv Sena (UBT), of abandoning the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by aligning with the Congress and embracing what he termed an "Aurangzebi ideology." Shinde stated, "We courageously retrieved the bow and arrow symbol which Shiv Sena had surrendered to Congress."
He further remarked that the Shiv Sena UBT lacks the moral authority to speak on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, as they have purportedly adopted Aurangzeb's principles. Shinde emphasized that his allegiance has always been to public service over power or positions.
These comments follow recent claims by Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut that Shinde once contemplated joining Congress. Raut refrained from providing further details out of respect for the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel but suggested former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan could corroborate his assertions.
Additionally, former Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole recently stirred controversy by extending an "offer" during Holi festivities, suggesting that Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar consider joining the opposition alliance with a proposal for a rotational Chief Minister post.