Eknath Shinde Criticizes Uddhav Thackeray's Growing Affinity with MNS

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a veiled critique against Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, spotlighting the latter's new association with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray.

Shinde, who now leads the Shiv Sena, made these remarks during an event where former Nashik chief of Sena (UBT) Vilas Shinde, along with 30 sarpanchs and many former corporators, officially joined his faction. He questioned Uddhav Thackeray's alliance with a party he had previously criticized.

Despite past political rivalries, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray announced unity for the Marathi language cause, planning a joint anti-Hindi imposition protest. Shinde, confident of his party's success in Nashik's upcoming civic elections, also spoke of Sena's alleged betrayal of its founder Bal Thackeray and Hindutva when joining forces with Congress in 2019.

(With inputs from agencies.)