Eknath Shinde reacts after Uddhav Thackeray's dig at governor: ‘Don’t teach us'

Eknath Shinde comments came hours after the former Maharashtra chief minister took a swipe at Bhagat Singh Koshiyari over his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, urging the Centre to take back the “Amazon parcel” which they sent in the form of a governor.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday reacted to the ongoing controversy over governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari's remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and advised Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) “not to teach us”.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde talks to the media. (PTI file)

“Those who have broken Balasaheb's principle of Hindutva have no right to criticise us and have no right to take Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj s name, he cannot be compared with anyone. Uddhav Thackeray should not teach us,” news agency ANI quoted Shinde as saying.

Shinde's comments came hours after the former Maharashtra chief minister took a swipe at Koshiyari over his remark, urging the Centre to take back the “Amazon parcel” which they sent in the form of a governor.

"I request the central government to take back the Amazon parcel which they have sent in form of the governor," said Thackeray.

He also urged the people to rise above “party politics” and protest against the governor's remarks.

"We request the Centre to recall the samples sent to Maharashtra and send them to an old age home. We urge all Maharashtra lovers to protest against his statement. Come together and rise above party politics. Come forward unitedly against this treason against Maharashtra. Even if they are from the BJP, we will take them along with us if they are willing to protest. We are talking to all other parties as well," Thackeray added.

Koshyari had said last week during an event in Aurangabad that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of "olden days". His statement had drawn flak from NCP and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction.

Earlier on Thursday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar criticised the Maharashtra governor over his statement, and said he has "crossed all the limits".