Published 15:22 IST, November 17th 2019
Shiv Sena workers heckle former CM Devendra Fadnavis at Bal Thackeray's memorial event
Shiv Sena workers heckled the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis by raising slogans, as he attended an event in Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
Shiv Sena workers heckled the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis by raising slogans, as he attended an event in Mumbai's Shivaji Park to mark the death anniversary of Shiv Sena patron Bal Thackeray. Fadnavis, who left the venue immediately was met with slogans raised by Shiv Sena workers amid worsening ties between the two saffron parties--BJP and Shiv Sena. The workers raised slogans in Marathi--"Sarkar kunauchi? Shiv Sena chi" (Whose government? Shiv Sena's)
Posting some of Balasaheb's fiery speeches, Fadnavis tweeted ' Respected Balasaheb taught us the main mantra for maintaining self-pride'. Fadnavis had earlier posted a video of his own speech about the Shiv Sena supremo. Earlier on Sunday, Bal Thackeray's son and grandson--Uddhav and Aaditya also offered a floral tribute at Shivaji Park. The former Sena Supremo was cremated at Shivaji Park, amid huge controversy in 2012.
After the establishment of the Shiv Sena, Thackeray's political sway in Maharashtra - especially in Mumbai grew leaps and bounds. Post -1992, Thackeray - also the founder of Saamana, vociferously fought for the Ram Mandir movement, allying with the BJP as part of the NDA. In 1999, Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years by the EC. Thackeray never held any official position but was known as the kingmaker in the Maharashtra government. On November 17, 2012, Thackeray passed away at his residence Matoshree and was accorded a state funeral.
BJP-Shiv Sena fallout
Meanwhile, the BJP-Shiv Sena's 'Mahyuti' of 35 years fell out at the state-level with Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray insisting a 50-50 sharing of Chief Minister post for 2.5 years and portfolios and Fadnavis refused to these demands. Both parties are eyeing to form the next government separately in Maharashtra -which is currently under President's rule.
While the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress is still in talks to finalise the Common minimum programme to form an alliance, the BJP has vowed that it will form the next government. The Mahayuti alliance which swept Maharashtra on October 24, winning a combined tally of 161 (BJP- 105, Sena -56).
Updated 15:31 IST, November 17th 2019