Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government on Thursday, accusing it of hypocrisy and selective action. He questioned why comedian Kunal Kamra was summoned for allegedly insulting a "traitor" (a reference to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) while no action was taken against actor Rahul Solapurkar, who allegedly insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"When a comment was made against the 'traitor,' the studio where the show was recorded was stormed, and Kamra was issued two summons. But has even a single summons been sent to Rahul Solapurkar, who allegedly insulted Shivaji Maharaj?" Thackeray asked. He further accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of protecting Shinde while remaining silent on Kamra’s direct criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kamra had recently released a parody song mocking Shinde, which led to a violent attack on a Mumbai studio by Shinde's supporters. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has repeatedly referred to Shinde as a "traitor" since he led a rebellion in 2022, splitting the party and aligning with the BJP.

Thackeray Targets BJP’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ Initiative

Thackeray also criticized the BJP over its ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ campaign, which distributes Eid kits to Muslim families, calling it "Saugat-e-Satta" (gift of power). He accused the BJP of abandoning its Hindutva stance for electoral gains.

"When the Shiv Sena got overwhelming Muslim support, they accused me of abandoning Hindutva and even called it 'Satta Jihad.' But now, the BJP is desperate for Muslim votes," he said. Thackeray challenged BJP leaders to release pictures of their Hindutva advocates distributing Eid kits in Muslim households.

He further alleged that the BJP has spent years spreading hatred against Islam but is now attempting to win over Muslim voters. "Muslims face police action, their homes are burnt, and Hindus are used to instigate riots against them. The BJP should clarify whether it wants to offer poison or food to Muslims," he said.

Nagpur Violence, Kolhapur Historian Controversy & Raigad Memorial

Thackeray also raised concerns over the recent violence in Nagpur, stating that the real reasons behind it remain unknown. He mocked BJP leader Prashant Koratkar, who allegedly made derogatory comments about Shivaji Maharaj, suggesting that Koratkar would merely be asked to write a 300-word essay as punishment, just as the juvenile in Pune’s Porsche crash case.

Regarding demands to remove a dog's memorial at Raigad Fort, Thackeray reminded the government of the stalled Shivaji Maharaj memorial project in the Arabian Sea. "An expert committee can discuss the dog’s memorial, but what legal action can we expect from a government that has forgotten Shivaji’s own memorial?" he questioned.

Unstable Government & Delay in Leader of Opposition Decision

Thackeray called the Maharashtra government "uneasy and unstable," stating that despite having a large mandate, there was no clarity on who would be removed next. He also criticized the delay in appointing the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly.