‘As if Russia and Ukraine have united’: CM Devendra Fadnavis slams reunion of Raj, Uddhav Thackeray as ‘opportunistic politics’

“There is so much hype created about their reunion. As if Russia and Ukraine have come together… It is being made to appear as though Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are coming together,” he said.

Describing the reunion of the estranged Thackeray cousins as an outcome of fear, the chief minister added, “They neither have any ideology nor agenda… You don’t win elections by stoking emotions.”

Referring to Uddhav as a “disappointed person”, Fadnavis continued, “He long ago buried the ideology of the Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena… People will question their flips.”

The BJP leader said, “Mumbai and Maharashtra have always subscribed to Hindutva which is inclusive and progressive. It is our culture and identity. Anybody who believes in Lord Ram is acceptable, irrespective of caste, community.”

Taking a dig at Raj Thackeray, he said, “We don’t wear a saffron shawl to display our Hindutva.” Raj began wearing a saffron shawl during the 2017 polls to underline his right-wing politics.

Expressing confidence that the BMC elections will be contested on the development plank, Fadnavis stated, “The people will exercise their votes for the development implemented on a massive scale by the BJP.”