Pune: Uddhav Thackeray Likens Amit Shah to Ahmed Shah Abdali, Vows to ‘Build BJP’s Grave’ in Maharashtra
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Pune, 3rd August 2024: In a fiery response to recent comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at a meeting held in Pune, likening Shah to the historical figure Ahmad Shah Abdali. The verbal exchange follows a BJP meeting in Balewadi, Pune, where Amit Shah criticized the Shiv Sena faction led by Thackeray, accusing them of abandoning Hindutva in favor of an alliance with Congress.
During his speech, Uddhav Thackeray referred to Shah’s remarks, suggesting that Shah’s criticism was unfounded and hypocritical. “A BJP program was held in Pune a few days ago. If we look into history, Shahiste Khan was a bit clever. He played on his finger. He did not come back to Maharashtra after three fingers were cut off,” Thackeray said, implying that Shah should have learned from historical precedents.
Thackeray further stated, “But why did he [Amit Shah] come back? The blows given by the people of Maharashtra turned on someone. They came to see this. A political descendant of Ahmad Shah Abdali came to Pune. That was Ahmed Shah and this is Amit Shah. Ahmed Shah’s political power came here to shake.”
Thackeray questioned Shah’s commitment to Hindutva, drawing comparisons to past BJP alliances. “Should we learn Hinduism from those who ate Nawaz Sharif’s cake? He said that Shiv Sena has left Hinduism. We have not left Hinduism. As Shankaracharya said, a traitor cannot be a Hindu. You have betrayed us,” Thackeray asserted.
Addressing the BJP’s historical alliances, Thackeray said, “If we form an alliance with Congress, do we become anti-Hindu? Then why was your political father Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sitting lap to lap with the Muslim League? A government was formed in Jammu and Kashmir with Mehbooba Mufti. Even today, he formed an alliance with Chandrababu Naidu. What kind of Hindu is Naidu? Is Nitish Kumar Hindutva leader? You are criticizing us by turning a blind eye to them.”
Thackeray concluded his speech with a sharp rebuke, stating, “Henceforth, I will call Amit Shah as Ahmed Shah Abdali. I was not ashamed when you called me a fake child. You don’t trip your tongue when you call me Aurangzeb’s fan club leader, so why should I be afraid to say that you are Ahmad Shah Abdali? Shall we see Ahmed Shah Abdali or Shiv Sainik with saffron flag in hand? The public must decide this now.”
He added, “As many turns as you have in the Lok Sabha, more twists will arise in the assembly results than that. After that, your movement will be permanently stopped. Just as Aurangzeb’s tomb was built in Maharashtra, we will build BJP’s grave in Maharashtra.”
This exchange marks a significant escalation in the political rhetoric between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, reflecting the deepening divide between the former allies.
