BJP Mumbai president and Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister, Adv. Ashish Shelar, launched a blistering attack on Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, calling their recent joint rally a “dramatic performance” devoid of real political substance. His remarks came just days after the two estranged cousins shared the stage in an attempt to present a united front ahead of the upcoming BMC elections.
In a strongly worded statement, Shelar described the rally as an “over-staged spectacle,” accusing both Thackerays of failing to deliver meaningful ideas. “One abandoned his thoughts mid-way, and the other rambled without a purpose. It felt more like a badly scripted play than a political address,” he said.
Drawing a controversial comparison, Shelar mentioned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where Hindu pilgrims were targeted, and juxtaposed it with incidents in Maharashtra where citizens have reportedly been assaulted over language issues. “Whether it’s violence in Kashmir or intimidation in Maharashtra, both are deeply troubling. No one should be harassed based on identity — be it religion or language,” he said, accusing opposition parties of exploiting fear for electoral gains.
Referring to education policy, Shelar criticized the Shiv Sena (UBT) for “selective advocacy.” “Why do Thackeray’s children get access to trilingual education, while the rest of Maharashtra’s students are left behind? Is this equality?” he questioned.
He also slammed Uddhav Thackeray’s shifting political alliances, alleging that the former CM had earlier aligned with the BJP purely for power. “They were fine sharing power with us at the Centre and in the BMC, but when the CM’s post was out of reach, they went running to NCP and Congress. Now, sensing defeat in the civic polls, they’re trying to rope in MNS. It’s nothing but opportunism,” Shelar remarked.
However, he tempered his criticism by acknowledging the personal reconciliation between the Thackeray families. “It’s good to see brothers reconnecting — that reflects our cultural values. But their political script lacks clarity and sincerity,” he added.
Shelar ended his remarks by appealing to the public to remain united and not fall for divisive tactics. “No Marathi should feel threatened by another Marathi. BJP has always upheld Marathi identity, language, and culture — and we will continue to do so. But we will not tolerate politics based on fear and deception,” he stated.
Responding sharply to Shelar’s comments, former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar fired back, “Before preaching to others, Shelar should answer a basic question — where are the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack? His government has failed to arrest them.”
