Jan Sangh Was Not Part of Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, Claims Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray asserted that the Jan Sangh, precursor to the BJP, refrained from involvement in the movement for the establishment of the Maharashtra state during the 1950s. Addressing a collaborative election rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), Uddhav Thackeray said the BJP never created any ideals.

They were never part of the freedom struggle. Even in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Jan Sangh, the parent party of BJP, never participated. My grandfather `Prabodhankar' Thackeray, my father (Bal Thackeray), and uncle Shrikant Thackeray were at the forefront of that movement. Jan Sangh was part of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti. Their objective was to enter the committee, seek something and leave, he claimed. When elections came, Jan Sangh broke up the Samiti over seat-sharing, Thackeray said, alleging that their malice towards Maharashtra has existed since then. Thackeray also asserted that both Shiv Sena and its founder Bal Thackeray had supported Modi during challenging times, yet now Modi seemed intent on dismantling the Sena.

Incidentally, Thackeray's remarks came just a day before Maharashtra's foundation day, observed on May 1. Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent "wandering soul" comment directed at NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Thackeray made a pointed response. He alluded, seemingly in reference to Modi, that there was another "discontented soul" wandering around.