Maharashtra BJP unit chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhy on Monday demanded that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray can cancel his party’s annual Dussehra rally and use the expenses on it for flood relief in Marathwada.
Upadhyay alleged that when Thackeray was the Chief Minister of the state, he ‘failed to work and sat at home’. He said that it is time to do ‘atonement’.
Several parts of Maharashtra, including the most affected Maratha region usually the most affected by drought, have been badly affected by heavy rains. Due to this, there has been widespread damage due to floods.
Organizing Dussehra rally has been an old tradition for the Thackeray family and Shiv Sena. This year too, he is going to address a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on the occasion of Dussehra on October 2.
Upadhyay said in a post on ‘X’, ‘Marathwada is struggling with severe floods, people have lost everything. (Uddhav) Thackeray has already visited three hours in five districts and has expressed his concern over the pain and suffering of the affected. Now is the time of action. They should cancel the Dussehra rally and spend that amount on the flood victims. This will give expression to their sympathy. ‘He further said, ‘It’s time to make atonement. Canceling the rally and sending money, will show their true concern towards people.
Upadhyay also criticized the topics spoken at Thackeray’s annual rally and said that during the tenure of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in the past, the event was known for its ideological Dasha-Disha.He said, ‘Now, this (rally) is limited to repeating the same script in which others are accused of calling them traitors and stealing their party. Why should ordinary workers be burdened with millions of rupees for such plays, while this is done daily in ‘Saamana’ ‘Saamana’.
Thackeray recently visited the flood affected areas of five districts of Marathwada, where he met the affected people and heard their complaints.