Often it is observed that children turn out to be an updated version of their father. However, in Thackeray family, there is a radical difference between father and son. It is evident from Uddhav’s recent outburst on his father.
Uddhav addresses Shivsainiks on Balasaheb’s 96th birthday
If he was alive, his 96th birthday would have turned out to be the worst birthday for Bal Thackeray. On this occasion, his own son questioned the wisdom of a man who single-handedly made Shiv Sena into what it is today.
Addressing Shiv Sena workers on the occasion of Balasaheb’s 96th birthday, he started with a political statement. Commenting on Shiv Sena’s 25-year alliance with BJP, Uddhav said, “My only disappointment is that once upon a time, they were our friends. We nurtured them. As I said earlier, our 25 years in alliance with the BJP were wasted,”
Uddhav holds BJP responsible for their separation
Uddhav also blamed BJP for the separation between both parties. Congress partner said that Shiv Sena has not left the Hindutva. “BJP is not Hindutva. But Balasaheb told the BJP, you take care of the country, we take care of Maharashtra. But they are the ones who betrayed us and were trying to wipe us out. We fed them for so many years and after they won, they have adopted use-and-throw policy,” said Uddhav
Read more: The life and legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray
Uddhav accused BJP of using Hindutva for power. He tried to assert that Shiv Sena wanted power for the Hindutva cause and nothing else. Elaborating his view, Uddhav said, “Shiv Sena had aligned with BJP as it wanted power for Hindutva. Sena never used Hindutva for the sake of power,”
The occasion was used by Uddhav to console his party’s workers about the recent losses in the local bodies’ polls. According to Uddhav, Shiv Sena party workers do not take these elections seriously and this is the main reason behind their loss. He resolved to increase the party’s campaigns on local as well as national levels.
Uddhav is trying to shed the legacy of Balasaheb
Ever Since Uddhav Thackeray decided to form an alliance with Congress in Maharashtra, he has been trying to cut himself off from the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. Just after coming to power, Uddhav led MVA government had given assent to the idea of not constructing any memorial for Balasaheb in Aurangabad.
Read more: When Shiv Sainiks beat up Balasaheb Thackeray’s own legacy
In January (2021), Shiv Sena published an Urdu calendar for the year 2021. It had referred to Balasaheb as ‘Janab’ Balasaheb Thackeray. Shiv Sena drifting away from Balasaheb was confirmed in November (2021) when no person from the Thackeray family went to pay tributes to Balasaheb on his death anniversary.
Read more: Shiv Sena is turning to the Marathi manush to save Uddhav but he is no Balasaheb Thackeray
Uddhav Thackeray has been in hot waters for quite some time now. Problems in the MVA coalition have been exacerbated by Sharad Pawar’s volatile political stands. Recently, the party has been trying to redefine Hindutva to serve its present political cause. Discarding Balasaheb’s legacy is the natural step in that direction.