Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray’s Remarks Against CJI Show His Desperation, Says Shinde-led Shiv Sena

The Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena came down heavily on former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over his Dussehra rally speech in which he purportedly made comments against the Chief Justice of India.

“This is not the first time that Uddhav Thackeray has given negative comments about the Supreme Court. It is our apex court and Indians hold it in high regard. But, if Uddhav Thackeray is making such a statement against the Chief Justice of India, it means he has no confidence in anyone. I believe that the SC should take suo-motu cognisance of this statement and take action,” Shinde faction leader Kiran Pawaskar told News18.

Talking about the ruling party’s oft-quoted term “dynasty politics” in context of opposition parties, Thackeray had said during his speech: “It is not the case that all families are good or bad, there is the legacy of that family and one gets recognition by it. We are keeping the legacy of our family. There is another family of our CJI (DY) Chandrachud, who is continuing their legacy. His father was also CJI, known to take a tough stand. But, we have to keep one thing in mind: in history, how should you be remembered? The person who never bowed down or a person who was a bootlicker?”

Pawaskar said if Thackeray thinks that such statements can put pressure on the Supreme Court, that will not happen. “When we can see that India is making good progress and it has now reached the top, is Uddhav Thackeray trying to disrupt the harmony in this country by criticising the CJI? If he talks about bootlicking, then what he has done in the last 2.5 years? He was doing the same with Sonia Gandhi,” he said, demanding that law firms and advocates should file a defamation case against Thackeray for his remarks.

Pawaskar further said Thackeray has made such statements in the past too, but now that he has targeted the CJI, he should not be spared. “The Shiv Sena UBT’s boat has completely sunk now. Making such statements is nothing but last-minute desperation of Uddhav Thackeray, he has earlier used emotional cards of his illness too but nothing worked. You should have seen the crowd and support that gathered for (CM Eknath) Shinde’s Dussehra rally and compared it with the Shivaji Park rally. This is an indication that he has no support, hence he is trying to get it by making such statements,” he added.