Amid Raj Thackeray's rally on Feb 9, CM Uddhav summons Shiv Sena meeting: Sources

In a big development, sources told Republic TV on Friday that Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has called an urgent party meeting on February 9. Incidentally, his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray is scheduled to lead a massive protest rally on same day demanding ouster of Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators. In meeting, as per sources, senior leaders of Sena are likely to evolve a strategy to counter Raj Thackeray’s Hindutva push. According to sources, Sena chief will chair meeting. 

Read: MNS Accords 'Hero Of Hindus' Title To Raj Thackeray, Prints T-shirts Before Feb 9 Rally

Shiv Sena's ideological dilemma

Since Uddhav Thackeray took oath as CM of Maharashtra, Sena is being perceived to have moved away from its Hindutva stance owing to compulsions of its alliance with NCP and Congress. ideological dilemma for Sena has come to fore on issues such as Citizenship Amendment Act and Veer Savarkar. In case of former, Sena MPs adopted a different position in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. On or hand, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut defended Savarkar both on Twitter as well as in Saamana newspaper. However, party supremo Uddhav Thackeray refused to comment on Rahul Gandhi’s remark that had sparked off controversy in first place. 

Read: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale Urges CM Uddhav Thackeray To Implement CAA In Maharashtra

MNS veers towards Hindutva

Raj Thackeray made his party's tilt towards Hindutva official at MNS convention on January 23, birth anniversary of Balasaheb Thackeray. He commenced his speech by saying- “My Hindu brors and sisters”. Raj Thackeray also explained that newly adopted saffron flag was his original choice at time of forming MNS.

Taking fight right to  Maharashtra CM's doorstep on Friday, MNS put up posters right outside his Matoshree residence. y challenged him to fulfill his commitment that he made in a recent interview. posters contain following mess- ‘Hourable Chief Minister, if your stance is that Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators must be thrown out of country, n first clear neighbourhoods in your Bandra backyard that are brimming with infiltrators’. 

Read: ' Such Compulsion': Maha CM Uddhav On t Paying Visit To PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi In Delhi

Read: Sharad Pawar's Comment Won't Sway Bhima-Koregaon Probe: CM Uddhav t Kowtowing To Allies