The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday warned Shiv Sena ( UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray to not cross his limits or else face serious consequences. The stern remark came a day after Thackeray’s attack on Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “The BJP will not tolerate any uncharitable remark made against DyCM Devendra Fadnavis. We warn Shiv Sena ( UBT) to take this seriously. Otherwise, our workers will be forced to retaliate. Thackeray will not be able to bear the consequences.” The sharp reaction followed Thackeray’s remark at a public rally in Hingoli on Sunday where he allegedly likened Fadnavis to a “tarbooz” (water melon). “There is drought in Marathwada region and Fadnavis is touring Japan. But then even the water melon requires water to grow,” he said. “So far the BJP workers have shown a lot of restrain. They have been overlooking the kind of language bring used against our leaders. But here after it will be difficult to stop our karyakartas. And if there are consequences leading to law and order issues, Thackeray will be responsible,” Bawankule said. The relation between Thackeray and Fadnavis went sour after the 2019 Assembly polls when the Shiv Sena (undivided then) joined hands with Congress-NCP to form Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Thackeray became the chief minister but the MVA was dislodged following a split in the Sena in June 2022. It paved way for BJP’s return to power with the help of Eknath Shinde-led 40 rebel MLAs. At a press conference in Mumbai, BJP MLC Praveen Darekar said, “We are asking Shiv Sena (UBT) to mind their tongue and remain within their limits. attacks on our leader will not be taken lightly.” Adding that Fadnavis is a leader who is always working for the people, he said, “His Japan visit was to get investment in Maharashtra. But how will one who failed to regularly visit Mantralay as CM understand this.”
