Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray stated on Wednesday that the reputation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his supporters as “traitors” will never be erased, news agency PTI reported. In a speech to the annual Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park ground, Thackeray slammed Shinde, whose rebellion in June this year brought down the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state.
“As time changes, Ravan’s face also changes. Today, it is the traitors (who are Ravan). When I was unwell and underwent a surgery, I had given the responsibility to him (Shinde). But he conspired against me thinking I will never stand up on my feet again,” the former chief minister said, reports PTI.
The Shiv Sena does not belong to one person, but to all loyal Sena workers, Thackeray said, adding, “If you believe I should not continue as Sena president, I will resign.”
“After the treachery, he now wants the party, its symbol, and to be called the party president,” Thackeray said of Shinde.
Earlier, Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held its Dussehra rally at the MMRDA ground in Mumbai. Shinde’s Dussehra rally is emulating a practice started by former Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray. Dussehra rally is a power show by Shinde to prove that Shiv Sena and the leaders who followed him constitute the real party.