Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faces battle that threatens to bring down Maharashtra’s government
Bombay:
The Radisson Blu hotel in Guwahati has turned the site of a “yoga camp” where nearly 40 Maharashtra MLAs have accepted the BJP as a superpower, Shiv Sena spokesman Saamana said today in a scathing editorial amid a struggle within its ranks.
Laced with sarcasm, the editorial says the “yoga camp leader” — an obvious reference to rebel Sena MLA Eknath Shinde — has claimed the BJP has “taught Pakistan a lesson.”
“We are reacquainted with Hindutva’s self-esteem. What evidence of teaching Pakistan was shown during the yoga shivir? Pakistan’s infiltration continues in Kashmir and Hindu pandits are being murdered. Hindus are forced to flee Kashmir during the rule of the BJP, claiming to be a Hindutva government. Is this your superpower?” the editors asked.
Those in the “yoga camp” appear to be “intoxicated” and they speak in that state, the article said.
The Sena spokesman then accused the BJP of constructing the insurgency in its ranks by threatening MLAs with actions by central agencies. “As a result, seven eight members of the camp became their slaves,” it reads.
The editors added that those in the Guwahati “yoga camp” are associated with “bhog” – materialism – rather than “yoga”.
“The BJP attracts hired leaders and claims greatness,” it added.
The editorial focused on the BJP-led central government on several other issues, including China’s aggression, India’s stance on the war in Ukraine and the recent row over ‘Agnipath’, the new military recruiting program.
Referring to the protests under the plan, it said Maharashtra remained peaceful during this time.
“This is a conspiracy to destroy Maharashtra. Floods are raging in Assam, but the prime minister is focusing on the yoga camp in Radisson Blu,” it said.
The editorial said the entire opposition has come together thanks to Guwahati’s “yoga camps” and that the country is uniting against this “marketplace” of MLAs.
“The world bows to the rising sun, but there is only darkness in Guwahati’s yoga camp,” said the Saamana editorial.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faces a massive internal struggle that threatens to topple Maharashtra’s government. While the Sena has accused the BJP of mounting the insurgency led by Minister Eknath Shinde, the BJP has said it has no role and that this is an internal matter of Shiv Sena.
Thackeray, whose camp now has fewer MLAs than the rebel camp, will chair a national executive meeting of the party today.
