In Sillod, Uddhav urges BJP workers to join hands with Sena (UBT) to defeat Abdul Sattar

In the last two-and-a-half years, Thackeray has never spoken about BJP-Sena workers coming together in any city or constituency, said Sena sources.

Uddhav was speaking at a rally in Sillod Assembly constituency in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district where Maharashtra Cabinet minister Abdul Sattar – who is now part of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena – is in the fray. (File photo)

IN A first of its kind since BJP-Shiv Sena alliance broke in 2019, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday sprang a surpise as he urged BJP workers to join hands with his party to defeat Abdul Sattar, who is the Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena candidate in Sillod assembly constituency.

In the last two-and-a-half years, Thackeray has never spoken about BJP-Sena workers coming together in any city or constituency, said Sena sources.

”I want to make a special appeal and request to BJP workers here… It’s ok… We have some differences… If anyone from your side is ready to talk to me, I am ready for discussion.. But now, all of us should make effort to wash away the taint from Sillod..This is because our culture and tradition are different,” Thackeray said while addressing a rally in Sillod in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for party candidate Suresh Bankar.

Abdul Sattar, a Maharashtra Minister is contesting from Sillod. Sattar is from Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He was earlier in the Congress. Sillod assembly seat is in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district.

Slamming Sattar, Thackeray said, “If ordinary people come together, no matter how big a person is, his fall is certain. That is why, from the bottom of my heart, I want to urge BJP workers to not miss this opportunity. In Sillod, do BJP workers want ‘goondaism’ and an atmosphere of terror? I don’t think so… I am sure the ‘sachcha (true) BJP workers will not approve of such ”goondaism’ and will make all effort to put an end to it. Let us all come together and end this ”goondaism,” he said, while calling for the defeat of Abdul Sattar

Drawing a comparison between his party’s Hindutva and the one practised by BJP, Uddhav said,”Today, I am moving around in Maharashtra with saffron flag in my hand. My Muslim sisters are sitting in front of me. Why are they not afraid of us ? Have we given up Hindutva ? No, still my Muslims sisters are coming to our rally and sitting in front of me without any fear…This is our Hindtuva.”

Thackeray alleged that at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Mumbai, Muslim women were not allowed to enter the venue.

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“Why? Because, they said they were wearing black dresses… They were stopped at the gates… Do you have humane qualities in you, or not ?” he asked.

Referring to Sattar’s presence on stage at PM’s rally in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on Thursday, Thackeray said, “He (Sattar) had used abusive language against Supriya Sule in front of TV cameras. And at yesterday’s rally of PM in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, this man (Sattar) was present on the dais… I want to then ask Modi, is this your Hindtuva? Is this your culture? During Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, the PM urged voters to strengthen the hands of Prajwal Revanna…Who is Prajwal Revanna ? Everyone knows…”

Criticising Abdul Sattar, Uddhav said, “All traitors have come together. And despite getting ministerial posts, their hunger is not satiated. They still remain greedy. They are all misuing power and harassing the poor. They should be put behind bards. This is what I want to tell the Sillodkars.”

The Sena chief said last time he made a mistake. ”I honestly acccept I made a mistake… And I apologise for that,” he said. Uddhav was referring to Sattar joining the Sena during the 2019 assembly elections. “That time, he told me that he will help me realise my dream. Forget about my dream, he has made life a nightmare for the poor and has gone on accumulating wealth,” he said.

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Reacting to Thackeray’s criticism, Sattar, speaking to ABP Majha, a Marathi news channel, said, “Thackeray has lost his mind. Let him say what he wants to… The people of Sillod will give him a befitting reply on November 23.”

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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