In a strategic move to counter the BJP’s attack and to show that it has not softened its stance, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena skipped a dinner meeting called by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss Parliament floor strategy in protest against Rahul Gandhi’s anti-Savarkar remarks. Sena leaders indicated that they did not want to send the wrong message on this issue, although it is unlikely to destabilize the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, as its primary battle is against the “attack on democracy”. It has, however, urged Rahul not to get distracted on such issues.
While Sena (Thackeray) MPs attended the morning meeting called by Kharge as well as the joint Opposition protest during the day, the leadership decided not to attend the dinner meeting to send a message that it was not backing down on the Savarkar issue.
The BJP and Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were questioning Sena’s stand on Savarkar. The leadership had also acknowledged the resentment among the cadre for not countering Rahul’s attack on Savarkar. Rahul Gandhi’s latest comment was on Saturday when he said he was a Gandhi and not Savarkar to apologize for his remarks. During his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul had attacked Savarkar, the Hindutva ideologue.
Through an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, Sena (Thackeray) also advised Rahul that his attack on Savarkar would lead to ebbing of sympathy he has gained due to his disqualification as Lok Sabha MP. The editorial further stated that the truth, which Gandhi is fighting for today, will not win by making defamatory statements against Savarkar.
On Sunday, Uddhav Thackeray said he considers Savarkar as his “idol” and asked Rahul to refrain from “insulting” him. He emphasized that the MVA was formed to protect democracy and it was necessary to work unitedly for it.
Sources suggest that Thackeray’s remarks and the editorial indicate that the party would not precipitate a crisis in the alliance. Sena wants to send a message on the Savarkar issue while staying united with the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
