Thackeray Criticizes BJP for Project Relocation and Vote-Buying Tactics
- UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray accuses government of buying votes with Rs1,500 Ladki Bahin scheme in Thane.
- Thane, a city in Maharashtra, India, becomes a center of controversy over alleged vote manipulation.
- Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray stands firm against what he claims as unethical practices in the election process.
In a recent address to Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Thane, party chief Uddhav Thackeray condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for relocating significant projects out of Maharashtra. Thackeray accused the ruling party of attempting to "purchase" the loyalty of the electorate with a meager financial incentive of Rs 1,500 under schemes like Majhi Ladki Bahin. He questioned the effectiveness of such schemes, asserting that they would not substantially improve the lives of ordinary women in the state. Thackeray further alleged rampant corruption within the Thane Municipal Corporation, claiming that contracts are awarded to associates of the Chief Minister, leading to a financially burdened city. He vowed to expose these issues in three months, emphasizing the need for accountability in governance. Additionally, he criticized the BJP's challenge to his Hindutva credentials, asserting that true devotees of Lord Ram would not permit developers to acquire land in key locations like Mumbai and Ayodhya. The event also saw tensions escalate between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supporters, following an incident in Beed where UBT workers reportedly threw betel nuts at MNS chief Raj Thackeray. As Uddhav Thackeray's convoy arrived at the venue, MNS members attempted to confront them, leading to police intervention and the detention of several MNS supporters. The clash highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the two factions in Maharashtra's political landscape.