'Love for Savarkar or CM chair?': BJP to corner Shiv Sena with Welcome Motion in assembly

Throwing an open dare to ruling Shiv Sena on Monday, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar questioned wher former would back welcome motion on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. He revealed that BJP planned to introduce motion in upcoming Maharashtra Assembly to accord due respect to Savarkar. Explaining rationale of this move, Mungantiwar opined that many leaders had defamed Savarkar in last few days.  

Mungantiwar remarked, "se days it has been observed that a lot of wrong things are being said by various leaders about Veer Savarkar. To give due respect to freedom fighter, we demand that in upcoming session of Maharashtra assembly, a welcome motion regarding this to be tabled for discussion in House." 

"We want to see Shiv Sena, which is in power, supports this motion or t. Shiv Sena is party that had praised Savarkar many times but after forming government in Maharashtra, y are silent over it. We also want to see wher y love Veer Savarkar or Chief Minister's chair,” he added.  

Read: "Rahul Gandhi Must Tender a Public Apology For Insulting Savarkar": Devendra Fadnavis

Sena's dilemma on Savarkar

Addressing Bharat Bachao rally in national capital in December 2019, Rahul Gandhi refused to apologise for his ‘Rape in India’ comment saying that he was t ‘Rahul Savarkar’. He was indirectly referring to Savarkar’s alleged apology to British seeking an early release from Andaman jail. This resulted in a furious backlash from BJP leaders including Devendra Fadnavis. 

Read: Ranjit Savarkar Slams Pooja Bhatt's 'Don't Support CAA As It Divides My House' Statement

Despite Shiv Sena's traditional support for Savarkar, it was perceived to have moved away from its Hindutva stance owing to compulsions of its alliance with NCP and Congress. ideological dilemma for Sena came to fore on this issue. Initially, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut defended Savarkar both on Twitter as well as in Saamana newspaper. Taking an indirect dig at its ally Congress for painting freedom fighter Veer Savarkar in a poor light, Raut dared those accusing Savarkar of apologising to British to spend even 72 hours in Andaman prison. However, party supremo Uddhav Thackeray refused to comment on Rahul Gandhi’s remark that had sparked off controversy in first place. 

(With ANI inputs)

Read: 'Bad In Law': MP HC Reinstates Principal Suspended For Circulating Savarkar tebooks

Read: Smriti Irani's '10 Gens Savarkar' Remark On Rahul Gets 'Godse' Retort From Salman Khurshid