Lambasting the turncoats from his party who had switched allegiances, leading to the collapse of his government, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray asserted that the label of gaddar (traitor) was a stain that could not be cleansed by any means and it had not only been affixed to them but also to their descendants.

Thackeray on Tuesday addressed the first traditional Dussehra rally of his party at Shivaji Park in Dadar after losing the Shiv Sena name and iconic bow-and-arrow symbol as the Election Commission of India (ECI) had officially recognised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde`s faction as the “real” Shiv Sena. Promoting his party’s new symbol, the flaming torch, Thackeray said, “All your hands are flaming torches. Burn those who mess up with Maharashtra, and overturn their government by voting against them. This is the 57th Dussehra rally of the Shiv Sena. In all these years, we have kept alive the tradition and legacy that Balasaheb Thackeray handed over to us. There have been attempts to end this legacy, but they failed.”

Potshots at Shinde, PM
Throughout his speech, Thackeray aimed barbs at the Shinde-Fadnavis government in the state as well as the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre and their governance.
Responding to PM Modi’s jibes about dynasticism, Thackeray said, “He talks about gharane shahi [dynasticism], then I would like to say that I am proud of it. I am proud of my father, mother and grandfather and the legacy they have left behind for me to take forward. People who do not believe in the family system should abstain from passing judgment on dynasties. And have you heard of rulers, leaders whose family history is not very well known… Hitler, Putin, Saddam Hussein, Stalin… nobody knows much about their families. Today, Germans are ashamed that Hitler ruled their country. One must not become a blind follower and hand the reigns to them as tomorrow these people with no well-known family names will leave you to die and never turn back.”

Quota agitation
Thackeray also touched upon the issues of farmers as the Maratha reservation agitation during his address. He said, “Manoj Jarage Patil is taking ahead the Marathe agitation very well. He has brought together the Dhangar community too. I cannot forget how a lathi-charge was done on Maratha protesters at Jalna. There was one attack on Jallianwala Bagh, and this one at Jalna, when protestors were beaten up indiscriminately. Even when I was the CM, the problem and protests existed. But I never ordered violence or a lathi-charge on the protesters. These are the same policemen who follow orders. Who was this General Dyer of Jalna who ordered the lathi-charge?”
He added, “What is the BJP? The BJP or even its previous incarnation, Jana Sangh, was never associated with the freedom struggle or even the Samyukta Maharashtra movement here. They just forge alliances with different people and parties like they did with us in Maharashtra and the Akali Dal in Punjab. They had even allied themselves with Nitish Kumar in Bihar. They cause destruction among their allies and then divide them and leave.”
The rally was flagged off on Tuesday by former Mayor Kishori Pednekar. Other leaders who addressed the rally were Ambadas Dave, Sushma Andhare, Nitin Mangude Patil, Bhaskar Jadhav and Sanjay Raut.
The rally ended with Shiv Sainiks burning an effigy of ‘Khokasur’, a demon named after the turncoats instead of the traditional Raavan model.

Farmers issues
Talking about the crop insurance controversy, Thackeray said, “One commendable step taken by this government was the introduction of a crop insurance scheme, requiring just R1 from each farmer. Approximately 1.70 lakh farmers enrolled in this programme. However, when the crops suffered substantial damage this year, the government directed insurance companies to offer immediate assistance until the full loss was assessed. Unfortunately, a condition was imposed that funds would be disbursed only if there were 21 days of continuous rainfall. Furthermore, some individuals were denied compensation because they failed to submit their claims within the stipulated time frame. It appears that these insurance companies may have connections to government officials or their acquaintances.
“I urge all Shiv Sainiks to stand in solidarity with farmers and offer them your support. Avoid resorting to violence or acts of vandalism. Instead, consider organising peaceful protests and demonstrations and ensure that officials address the issue. Let them experience the inconvenience of waterlogging by making it rain in their offices until the matter is resolved,” he said.

‘Don’t diminish city’s significance’
Finally before ending his speech, Thackeray said, “Is Mumbai still retaining its status as the financial capital of India? It seems that various assets and projects meant for Mumbai are gradually relocating to other states, such as Gujarat. For instance, Film City is being relocated to Uttar Pradesh, which is acceptable. However, if efforts are made to diminish Mumbai`s significance and disrupt our beloved city, it may lead to severe consequences. This appears to be part of a larger agenda. They aim to have Niti Aayog oversee Mumbai, and the appointed guardian minister has ties to the construction industry. What more changes might they be planning?”

Dharavi redevelopment
Thackeray also touched upon the Dharavi redevelopment issue. He asked the audience if they knew who was redeveloping the slum area. “Well, I don`t know as I am Adani [rustic],” he joked, adding “We want redevelopment but not at the cost of putting money and profit in their friend’s pocket.”
Apart from farmers suffering and issues of Maratha reservation, Sena (UBT) leaders spoke about issues pertaining to the healthcare system in the state, which they said is crumbling day by day; education—they claimed that many girl students were dropping out; and the seizure of drugs and narcotics consignment in big numbers from various districts.

Whose Dussehra rally is it anyway?
“Many reporters and media persons during the day told me that there were two Dussehra rallies and sought my view on this. I promptly replied this one here at Shiv Tirth is the real Dussehra rally; the other one wherever it is happening is as fake as a Chinese product,” said Shiv Sena (UBT)  leader Sanjay Raut.
Taking a jibe at Amit Shah`s speech regarding corruption, Raut said, “During a speech in Chhattisgarh, Amit Shah mentioned that if their government comes into power, they will take strict action against corrupt individuals and hang them upside down. I ask, why not implement such punishments here, rather than embracing corrupt individuals and showing them affection? Those who betrayed us and joined the BJP by allegedly accepting large sums of money should be held accountable. If this is done, we will applaud your actions and felicitate them.”

Quote
‘What is the BJP? The BJP or even its previous incarnation, the Jana Sangh, was never associated with the freedom struggle or even the Samyukta Maharashtra movement here’
Uddhav Thackeray, president, Shiv Sena (UBT)

Popcorn
1966
Year first Shiv Sena Dussehra rally was held

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