Mhaske questions Thackeray cousins' October 4 Mumbai march against Election Commission

A march against the Election Commission is to be held in Mumbai on October 4. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced it at a joint press conference. Reactions have since begun to come in from political circles. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) spokesperson and MP Naresh Mhaske reacted sharply.

Speaking to the media, Mhaske put forward his views on the march by the Thackeray faction and the MNS. Criticising Uddhav Thackeray, he said, "Uddhav Thackeray is working in Maharashtra under the leadership of Abhijeet Dipke."

Mhaske said, "The reason being given for the agitation against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is that they lost in Maharashtra and Gyanesh Kumar is behind it. In fact, Gyanesh Kumar was not even the Chief Election Commissioner then." He added that Sanjay Raut should set up a commission to find out why they lost. According to Mhaske, Uddhav Thackeray should ask himself, "Why did I lose?" He said the defeat would not have happened had Raj Thackeray not been treated shabbily, and that Uddhav Thackeray would realise this in time.

Mhaske also targeted Abhijeet Dipke, chief of the Cockroach Janta Party. He said, "We saw Dipke's agitation in Delhi. The entire Left camp, which has always opposed Hindutva, was present there. Will the Thackeray brothers join hands with them?" he asked.

Mhaske also said, "It is unfortunate that to save their existence they have to join hands with a boy who arrived only yesterday, like Abhijeet Dipke." He appealed to Uddhav Thackeray to ask Dipke to begin the agitation after paying homage at the memorial of Swatantryaveer Savarkar at Shivaji Park. Mhaske repeated that Uddhav Thackeray is currently working in Maharashtra under Abhijeet Dipke's leadership.

Mhaske also commented on Uddhav Thackeray over the INDIA bloc meeting. He claimed that Uddhav Thackeray has other work besides looking after his MLAs and MPs, so it is not necessary for everyone to attend the meeting. With the October 4 march ahead, Maharashtra's political climate is likely to heat up further.