‘Ashamed they stayed so long’: Uddhav Thackeray attacks rebel MPs; Sanjay Raut says ‘Thackerays rise from the ashes’

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday sought to reassure party workers after the recent defection of several MPs, asserting that the “true Shivsainiks” continued to stand by him while launching a sharp attack on leaders who crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Speaking at a gathering of party workers during his visit to Yavatmal, Thackeray said the recent rebellion would not weaken the organisation. He also claimed that the MPs who left the party had secured electoral victories because of the support he extended during the Lok Sabha campaign.

Advertisement

Uddhav Thackeray attacks rebel MPs

“The true Shivsainiks are with me. As for the others, you are all witnessing their behaviour. I honestly feel ashamed that they managed to remain in our company for as long as they did,” Thackeray said.

His remarks came weeks after Yavatmal-Washim MP Sanjay Deshmukh was among six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Targeting the defectors, Thackeray said they had benefited from his campaign across their constituencies.

“These MPs were elected solely on my word. They now have the audacity to claim that touring their constituencies is pointless, yet they were elected precisely because of the tours I undertook on their behalf. Farmers today are denied a guaranteed Minimum Support Price, yet these worthless, upstart MPs seem to have a guaranteed position regardless,” he said.

Thackeray also referred to a party meeting held on Friday and said its significance would become evident in the coming days.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant accompanied him during the Yavatmal visit.

Party leaders defend Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership

Speaking to reporters, Arvind Sawant questioned why the MPs chose to leave despite holding parliamentary positions.

“We had nine MPs in the Lok Sabha and two in the Rajya Sabha. What difficulty did you face that you had to quit the party? The party did no injustice to you. The media exposed that they did not utilise their MP funds. They are sellouts and corrupt. They are a blot on Maharashtra. This corruption has been started by the BJP across the country,” Sawant alleged.

Anil Desai said voters had backed the rebel MPs because they trusted Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.

“The people of Maharashtra know Uddhavji very well. The way he led the state during COVID-19, supported doctors, and stood by farmers during floods and crop losses remains in people’s hearts. The people voted for these MPs based on Uddhavji’s word,” he said.

Desai said the party would now approach voters and explain the circumstances surrounding the defections.

“We will go to the people who trusted Uddhavji’s word to elect these MPs and explain how this betrayal happened. We will remind ordinary voters, farmers and workers of the power given to them by the Constitution to decide who should represent them,” he said.

He also said political parties should grow by winning public trust instead of encouraging elected representatives to switch sides.

Sanjay Raut says party will emerge stronger

Separately, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the Thackeray family would emerge stronger despite the recent rebellion.

“Tell Sanjay Deshmukh this Shiv Sena is not going to end. The Thackerays do not finish–they rise from the ashes. To remain loyal, one must have one mother and one father. We are loyal,” Raut said.

Repeating his earlier allegation that rebel MPs had switched sides for money, Raut claimed Deshmukh had been “sold” for Rs 50 crore.

“A meeting is underway at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee. Goods have no value here. But 15 days ago, one ‘commodity’ arrived and was sold for Rs 50 crore–your MP. The MP is gone. I have come to mourn him. Give him the 10th and 12th rites and move on,” he alleged.

Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) workers remained committed to the party by conviction.

“We stay loyally with Shiv Sena–we are not doing anyone a favour by doing so. Had he come to the market earlier, he wouldn’t have fetched even Rs 500. When Uddhav Thackeray wore saffron, his value rose. In elections, he will have no value,” he said.

He also criticised the BJP while rejecting the rebels’ claim that they had changed sides to bring development.

“They left saying they want to bring development. Modi couldn’t develop the country in 12 years. Go and see Modi’s own Varanasi constituency–no roads, no electricity–and these people went to him for development,” he alleged.