Shiv Sena: Chhatrapati Shivaji belongs to 11 crore people
The BJP had mounted a campaign seen by observers as an effort to appropriate the legacy of the legendary warrior-king.
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Sunday took a swipe at one-time ally BJP, stating that Chhatrapati Shivaji is not “confined to any caste or party” but belongs to all 11 crore Maharashtrians.
Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, writing in his weekly ‘Rokhthok’ column in the party mouthpiece Saamana, said, “Shivaji Maharaj is not confined to a caste or a party. He belongs to all 11 crore people of Maharashtra.”
The BJP had mounted a campaign seen by observers as an effort to appropriate the legacy of the legendary warrior-king.
Slamming the BJP’s campaign, the executive editor of Saamana wrote, “The BJP has been campaigning that it is the only party blessed by Shivaji Maharaj. Despite this claim, BJP candidate Udayanraje Bhosale lost the Satara Lok Sabha bypoll.”
NCP’s Shriniwas Patil defeated Mr Bhosale in the bypoll. Mr Raut further added that the October 24 verdict was the defeat of a person and not a legacy.
“Shivaji Maharaj taught us that Maharashtra does not tolerate arrogance and hypocrisy. When people take oath in the name of Shivaji Maharaj but don’t keep promises, it is a sign of state’s downfall,” Mr Raut wrote.