Mumbai: Some Shiv Sena leaders put up banners in Mumbai on Wednesday taunting Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the time when he “bowed” before late Sena chief Bal Thackeray in an apparent attempt to embarrass the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The banners had photographs of senior BJP leaders and friends-turned-foes of the Shiv Sena, such as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Congress leader Narayan Rane, with Bal Thackeray in happier times. The biggest space was devoted to a photo of Modi bowing with folded hands before Bal Thackeray.
The slogan on the banners was apparently a barb aimed at Modi. The slogan read: “Have you forgotten those days or were you just pretending when your proud heads were bowed at the feet of Balasaheb!”
Union home minister Rajnath Singh too featured in the banners, with an image showing him bowing before Bal Thackeray.
Photos of the banners went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions from BJP leaders.
Incensed by the development, Matoshree – the residence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray – sent out an order to take down the banners and a separate statement that dissociated the party from the hoardings.
“The Sena has nothing to do with the banner, which is not an authentic one. It doesn’t reflect the party’s views. Workers may have put it (up) in a fit of rage. We request media persons to not have any more discussions over it,” the statement said.
The Shiv Sena is a key ally in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena’s recent actions, including forcing the cancellation of Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concert in the state and the storming of the BCCI office in Mumbai, has strained ties between the two parties.
Hindustan Times had reported on Thursday about Uddhav Thackeray facing a dilemma over his ambition to make the Shiv Sena a more liberal party against the wishes of its often unruly and violent cadres. Observers said the flip flop over the banners reflected this dilemma.(agencies)