'Rahul never called me Balasaheb's fake son'- Uddhav's reply to PM Modi

Maharashtra Election: Voting for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 is now just a week away, and as the election date is approaching, the confrontation and rhetoric between political parties in the state has also intensified. Votes will be cast for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra on November 20. In this election environment, a series of sharp statements have been seen between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena UBT (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Recently, during an election rally, Prime Minister Modi challenged the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance party Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi to praise the late Balasaheb Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray reacted strongly to this challenge, and targeted the Prime Minister fiercely. Let us know what Uddhav Thackeray said and what kind of retort he gave in response.

Uddhav Thackeray's reply: "Rahul never called me a fake child"

Uddhav Thackeray, while responding to Prime Minister Modi's statement, said that PM Modi was in Nanded today, and he was also coming from there. Uddhav said, "Fortunately I did not get to see PM Modi, this is my fate." Referring to Modi's challenge, he said that instead of challenging Rahul Gandhi, he should focus on his own statements. He clarified that Rahul Gandhi had paid respect to Balasaheb Thackeray by visiting his memorial in the MVA meeting held at Shivaji Park during the Lok Sabha elections, which shows his reverence for Balasaheb Thackeray.

Uddhav Thackeray further said that if Modi ji's team had not sent him the video in which Rahul Gandhi is seen greeting Balasaheb at the memorial, then he himself would have sent that video to PM Modi. Uddhav targeted PM Modi, saying that Rahul Gandhi never called him a "fake child" even though the derogatory remark was made by PM Modi himself.

PM Modi's challenge: Demand to praise Balasaheb Thackeray

PM Modi in his recent speech challenged Congress leaders, especially Rahul Gandhi, to praise Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. Modi alleged that Congress leaders are unable to show respect for Balasaheb Thackeray's contribution and his ideas. PM Modi said in the public meeting, "Not a single word comes out of the mouth of Congress leaders to praise Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology publicly. I challenge Congress leaders, the Yuvraj, to publicly praise Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology."

Increasing rhetoric during election period

Exchange of such statements is a way for parties to strengthen their position during election time. The question of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy holds emotional and political importance in Maharashtra, and the discussion on it is likely to get support or opposition from both sides. It is clear from Uddhav Thackeray's answer and PM Modi's challenge that the round of allegations and counter-allegations will intensify in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

In the election environment, it will be interesting for the voters to see how different parties attract the public and how they focus on the issues.