The countdown to BMC elections has sparked a war of words, with AIMIM’s Waris Pathan launching a direct assault on Uddhav Thackeray, labeling him an unrelenting foe of India’s Muslim population. This provocative claim, made at a fervent public gathering, has set social media ablaze and drawn sharp political reactions.
Pathan meticulously outlined Shiv Sena’s track record, from street agitations to policy positions perceived as exclusionary. ‘Uddhav Thackeray’s secular mask fools no one. He is the enemy of Muslims,’ he proclaimed, vowing to expose such leaders.
Stakes are enormous in BMC polls: the winner wields authority over Mumbai’s 12 million citizens, managing a Rs 52,000 crore budget. Post-2022 Shiv Sena schism, Thackeray’s faction eyes reclaiming lost ground against Shinde-BJP combine.
AIMIM’s strategy hinges on consolidating Muslim votes, fragmented among INDIA bloc and others. Pathan’s rhetoric aims to peel away support from Thackeray’s ‘soft Hindutva’ image.
Allies and rivals alike condemned the language as inflammatory. Shiv Sena spokesperson called it ‘hate-mongering for votes.’ Yet, in Mumbai’s mosaic of communities, such exchanges are par for the course.
Historical context matters: Bal Thackeray’s legacy looms large, even as Uddhav pivoted towards centrism. Pathan, a former AAP member, brings legal acumen and oratory punch to AIMIM’s arsenal.
Observers foresee heightened EC scrutiny on campaigns. Ultimately, BMC results could signal Maharashtra’s 2024 assembly trends. For now, Pathan’s salvo ensures the Muslim vote remains pivotal.