The party reminds Narendra Modi of his burre din.
Ever since the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance have formed the government in Maharashtra both the parties have been involved in power tussle. Sena which had always had an upper hand in the state politics is unhappy playing second fiddle to BJP. Sena is also unhappy with the step motherly treatment meted out against it by BJP. To express its displeasure, Sena had put up a poster showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowing before the late Balasaheb Thackeray at Sena Bhawan in Dadar. Through this poster Sena is trying to remind BJP and Modi of those days when Sena had dominated state politics.
The slogan on the banners was apparently a barb aimed at Modi. The slogan read: “Have you forgotten those days or were you just pretending when your proud heads were bowed at the feet of Balasaheb!”
Union home minister Rajnath Singh too featured in the banners, with an image showing him bowing before Bal Thackeray. Photos of the banners went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions from BJP leaders.
The BMC took down the poster voluntarily as soon as they found out that it had been put up illegally. BMC allegedly told Sena workers that the poster was illegally put up as they had failed to obtain permission for it from the civic body.
“We only put up posters to remember our old days. It is not to disrespect any political leader,” said Shiv Sena MLA Rajendra Raut.
Shiv Sena President, Uddhav Thackeray issued a statement which mentioned, “The Sena has nothing to do with the banner, which is not an authentic one. It doesn’t reflect the party’s views. Workers may have put it (up) in a fit of rage. We request media persons to not have any more discussions over it.”
Sena had parted ways with the BJP ahead of the assembly election last year. After two months Sena joined the BJP led Maharashtra government after NCP withdrew outside support to the party. Sena had recently forced the cancellation of Ghulam Ali concert in Mumbai. It also had opposed the Kasuri book launch event but the show was held in the city amid tight security. Thus a tug of war between both Sena and BJP continues for supremacy.
Meanwhile the BJP has been sidelining Shiv Sena and did not invite Uddhav Thackeray for Modi’s functions in Mumbai. Modi laid the foundation stone for Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorial at Indu Mills in Dadar and conducted ‘bhoomi pujan’ for two new Metro lines at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), where he also addressed a rally.
The invitation was sent only at the 11th hour and Uddhav decided to visit Marathwada to review the drought situation there. Meanwhile, a close aide of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said the poster is not one that has “official” endorsement of the party.
