The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has stirred the political waters by suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign to win more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is driven by an ulterior motive to amend the Constitution. Speaking at a rally in Guhagar, Maharashtra, Thackeray portrayed the BJP’s ambitions as a threat to democratic norms, highlighting the “one nation one election” concept as a step towards dictatorship.
Thackeray’s remarks come in the wake of contentious statements from BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde, who argued for a constitutional amendment to correct what he perceives as historical distortions introduced by the Congress. While the BJP distanced itself from Hegde’s comments, describing them as his personal views, the incident has fueled speculation and concern about the party’s long-term intentions.
Reflecting on the legacy of BJP stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, Thackeray lamented what he sees as the party’s departure from its foundational principles. He revisited the painful split within his own party, Shiv Sena, in 2022, emphasizing his commitment to Maharashtra’s welfare despite political betrayals.
Thackeray’s discourse also touched on allegations of political corruption, accusing the BJP of initiating an amnesty scheme for corrupt individuals who align with the party, thereby halting ongoing investigations. This claim was underscored by the recent defection of his former ally Ravindra Waikar to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, amidst ongoing scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray’s allegations against the BJP underscore the intensifying battle for parliamentary dominance and the diverging visions for India’s constitutional future.
