Shiv Sena War Escalates: Shinde vs. Thackeray in a Battle for Power
Eknath Shinde Takes a Swipe at Uddhav Thackeray: ‘I Was a Rickshaw Driver Who Overtook a Mercedes’
Eknath Shinde’s Dig at Uddhav Thackeray Sparks Political Debate
Shinde’s ‘Rickshaw vs. Mercedes’ Comment Heats Up Maharashtra Politics
PUNE: Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a sharp swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, saying that he was once a rickshaw driver who overtook a Mercedes two-and-a-half years ago. His remark was a clear reference to his split from Thackeray’s leadership and the subsequent formation of his faction of the Shiv Sena.
Shinde made the statement while addressing a rally in Junnar, Pune district, where independent MLA Sharad Sonawane joined his party. Sonawane’s election symbol was an autorickshaw, which Shinde used as a metaphor for his own political journey.
“Sonawane contested the election on a symbol of a rickshaw. I was also once a rickshaw driver who overtook a Mercedes two-and-a-half years ago. Even when we were in government, I decided to revolt as I could not tolerate the insult to Shiv Sainiks,” Shinde said.
Allegations Against Uddhav Thackeray Over ‘Mercedes’ Controversy
The rickshaw-Mercedes analogy follows recent allegations by Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe, who accused Thackeray of making appointments in exchange for two Mercedes cars when he was leading the undivided Shiv Sena.
During the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Delhi, Gorhe claimed that Thackeray was reluctant to meet Shiv Sena MLAs and that party positions were allegedly sold in return for luxury vehicles.
Shinde Defends Mahakumbh Visit After Thackeray’s Criticism
Shinde’s remarks also came as a response to Uddhav Thackeray’s recent jibe about his visit to Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh, where he took a holy dip in the Ganga River. Thackeray had remarked that Shinde’s sins of betraying Maharashtra wouldn’t be washed away even after taking a dip in the Ganga.
Countering this, Shinde hit back by saying:
“Some people tried to criticize me, but in doing so, they insulted Mahakumbh. I went there to wash off the sins they committed—abandoning Hindutva and Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology.”
Shinde Highlights Growing Support for ‘Real’ Shiv Sena
Amid the ongoing political war of words, Shinde asserted that his faction of the Shiv Sena is gaining strength, with more people choosing to support his leadership. He claimed:
- Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) received 15 lakh more votes than Shiv Sena (UBT) in recent elections.
- People continue to join ‘the real Sena’ because they trust his leadership.
- Despite allegations, his focus remains on public welfare and grassroots development.
Political Implications: Maharashtra’s Power Struggle Intensifies
The rivalry between Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray has been a defining political conflict in Maharashtra since the 2022 Shiv Sena split. The war of words, symbolic jabs, and allegations of corruption and betrayal continue to shape the state’s political landscape.
While Shinde’s camp projects itself as the true torchbearer of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology, Uddhav Thackeray’s faction claims to be the legitimate heir to the original Shiv Sena’s legacy. With elections around the corner, the battle for public trust and party dominance is expected to intensify further.
The Battle for Shiv Sena’s Legacy Continues
Eknath Shinde’s remarks have reignited the political drama between his faction and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). As Maharashtra gears up for future elections, this political tug-of-war is set to dominate headlines. Whether the ‘rickshaw’ continues to overtake the ‘Mercedes’ remains to be seen.
