Mumbai (IANS) | Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced state-wide processions amid the ongoing row between the Congress and its ally Shiv Sena-UBT over the “insult” of ‘swatan’yaveer’ Vinayak D. Savarkar. He said that ‘Savarkar Gaurav Yatras’ would be organized in Maharashtra. He also replaced his profile pictures with Savarkar on his social media accounts.
Two days ago, Thackeray had objected to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and said that “insult” to Maharashtra’s “deity” would not be tolerated and was supported by party MP Sanjay Raut. After this the war between Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT started again.
Hoping to oust Thackeray, Shinde on Monday targeted Rahul Gandhi and said he would take out processions in the state in Savarkar’s honor as a show of strength ahead of the upcoming civic polls.
Shinde said, “I strongly condemn Rahul Gandhi’s statements on Veer Savarkar.. It was because of his contribution that India got freedom. He spent many years in the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands. should remain.”
Referring to Thackeray’s criticism of Rahul, Shinde asked if he had the guts to hit the Congress leader with a shoe, as the late Balasaheb Thackeray had done to another Congressman Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that ‘Savarkar Gaurav Yatra’ will be organized in every district to highlight the contribution of ‘Swatanyaveer’ and protest against those who insult him.
Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe condemned Shinde’s announcement of ‘Savarkar Gaurav Yatra’ and said he was only reading from a script prepared by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal also courted controversy by saying that Savarkar was a highly respected person in the state and such statements should be avoided.
Congress President Nana Patole reiterated that the Congress’ stand on the Savarkar issue has been clear from the beginning.
Patole said, “Though, it is the BJP which is trying to divide the Maha Vikas Aghadi, but they will never succeed in their designs. The MVA will always remain united.”
Meanwhile, Patole and Raut on Monday said they are planning a meeting or a telephonic conversation between Thackeray-Gandhi soon to resolve the thorny issue threatening the fragile MVA alliance, though both sides Senior leaders of the AAP deny any such possibility.
