'Shiv Sena doesn't need new flag': Uddhav Thackeray derides cousin Raj on Hindutva debate

Taking a shot at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray for changing party's flag to saffron, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray stated that Shiv Sena doesn't need to change its flag to prove its Hindutva stance. Addressing a party meeting in south Mumbai's Sahyadri on Sunday, CM Thackeray also asserted that he follows Hindutva of his far Balasaheb which is "very pure".

"I did t change my flag because whole world kws what is our Hindutva. I don't have to prove my Hindutva because my Hindutva is that of Balasaheb Thackeray's, which is very pure," Uddhav Thackeray said.

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Sources in party said  meeting called by Shiv Sena top brass involved its ministers in state government and MLAs discussing  developmental work of Maharashtra and farmer welfare.  Congress-NCP-Sena coalition was also discussed. Party leaders reiterated ir commitment for smooth functioning of government and alliance while also standing by its Hindutva ideology.

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Remarks following Raj's Mahamorcha

Uddhav Thackeray's comment came in wake of a mega rally — 'Mahamorcha' — led by his cousin Raj Thackeray's MNS on Sunday. rally witnessed thousands of MNS supporters waving its saffron flag marching from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan, while posters declared 'infiltrators are t my brors and sisters'. It was an anti-immigrant rally where Raj publically endorsed Citizenship Amendment Act.

READ | MNS 'Mahamorcha' Commences In Mumbai To Drive Out 'illegal Infiltrators'

MNS reinvents Hindutva commitment

Raj Thackeray-led MNS launched its new party flag, ahead of its day-long Maha Adhiveshan (mega meeting). new saffron-coloured flag of party also features Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Raj Mudra (royal emblem). Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray has also been inducted into party.

As per reports, re has been speculation that BJP will support Raj Thackeray in rebranding his party after Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena joined hands with Congress and NCP to form a government in Maharashtra. Congress and NCP are ideologically polar opposites of Shiv Sena, rooted in centrist and secular social policy.

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