Maharashtra Election Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has once again launched a scathing attack on his opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray. The statement came during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, when Fadnavis reacted to the issue of checking of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘bag’ while campaigning for ruling Mahayuti candidate Sulabha Ganpat Gaikwad in Kalyan East in Thane district. Fadnavis said that Thackeray is deliberately trying to divert attention by raising the issue and this is part of his election gimmick.
Fadnavis while talking to the media said, “Thackeray’s frustration is clearly visible. What’s wrong with bag checking? We too have faced many such tests during the election campaign, and there is no big deal in it.” His statement came in the context of the allegations made by Uddhav Thackeray on checking of bags during the election campaign in Latur district. Thackeray had also shared a video on social media regarding this, in which his bag was being searched by the election officials.
Devendra Fadnavis also targeted the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance regarding this matter. “When there are no important issues, opposition leaders blow such small matters out of proportion to divert public attention from the real issues,” he said. According to him, Uddhav Thackeray is now resorting to similar tactics for the sake of votes, while he did not take any important decision while in the government.
Trick or conspiracy to seek votes?
Regarding this issue raised by the opposition, Fadnavis said that checking of bags by the Election Commission is not an unusual incident. He also said that such small issues are raised as part of vote bank politics, while opposition leaders blow such incidents out of proportion to avoid discussing the real issue. “Is the government’s job only to check bags?” Fadnavis said while questioning.
At the same time, Uddhav Thackeray had alleged that the election officials were deliberately checking his bag, which could harm his image. Thackeray called it a conspiracy and said it should be considered interference in the electoral process.
What did Fadnavis say while attacking Uddhav Thackeray?
Fadnavis attacked Uddhav Thackeray and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by him, saying that this government was lagging behind in the industrial development of the state. He also claimed that when Uddhav Thackeray’s government was in power, Maharashtra’s industrial sector was weakening. But now, during the tenure of the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra, the state has received the highest industrial investment in the country, leaving behind Karnataka and Gujarat.
“This year, 52 percent of the total industrial investment in the country was made in Maharashtra. When our government came to power, we gave a new direction to the industrial sector of Maharashtra. That is why today Maharashtra has become the largest industrial state in the country,” Fadnavis made his point even more strongly.
Chief Minister also took taunt on Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme
Fadnavis also took a dig at Maha Vikas Aghadi’s Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. He said that some colleagues are now preparing to approach the High Court against this plan. This statement came at a time when Uddhav Thackeray’s party had raised questions about this scheme, and said that it was a scheme made for electoral gains.
“When Uddhav Thackeray’s government was in power, this was not the plan. Now our government started this scheme, and some people are moving court to stop it. This shows our commitment towards the women of the state,” Fadnavis said.
Election atmosphere heated up in Maharashtra
The atmosphere in Maharashtra Assembly elections is getting hotter day by day. There is a heated exchange of words between the two main political parties, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena (UBT). Such allegations and counter-allegations between Fadnavis and Thackeray have become an important part of the election campaign.
Both the parties are raising their respective issues to reassure the people of the state, but there is no doubt that controversies like bag checking and election conspiracies have made the election atmosphere even more heated. Now it remains to be seen whether more such disputes emerge in the coming days or whether both the parties will discuss their issues.
In the political turmoil being seen in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the rhetoric and allegations and counter-allegations between Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray are part of the election strategy. Both the parties are trying their best to defeat each other at every step in the election campaign. This election can prove to be important not only for the political future of the state but also for every citizen of Maharashtra.
Now it will be interesting to see who the people of Maharashtra choose as their next leader and who opens the paths of development for them.
