PM has 'no time for youth': Uddhav Thackeray says Modi's meet with Sena rebels a signal to SC

Thackeray also questioned whether Modi’s meeting with the six MPs was meant to be a signal to the apex court that the prime minister was backing them.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting the six MPs who recently defected from his party, asking whether it was a signal to the Supreme Court at a time when it is hearing his party’s pleas challenging the Election Commission’s decision recognising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena as the “real Shiv Sena”. Thackeray then accused Modi of finding time for “traitors” while ignoring protesting youth.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses a press conference at Bandra in Mumbai on Saturday. (PTI)

The meeting that triggered the Sena (UBT) chief’s anger took place in New Delhi on Friday, when Modi held a breakfast meeting with MPs from NDA constituents. Later, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde met the prime minister with the six MPs, who switched from the Sena (UBT) to the Sena recently.

Thackeray claims PM has “no time for the youth”

Addressing the media in Mumbai on Saturday, Thackeray said Modi did not have the time to attend Parliament or meet the students who were agitating over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar. “The PM has time for Instagramming and I was cricticised for holding Facebook live sessions during the Covid pandemic,” he said. “The Congress was never abused like this in 65 years, but the BJP has got lots of abuses now.”

Thackeray also questioned whether Modi’s meeting with the six MPs was meant to be a signal to the apex court that the prime minister was backing them. “Earlier, when Shinde used to go to Delhi, he used to meet Amit Shah; now he is meeting the PM even though Shah is in Delhi,’’ alleged Thackeray, wondering whether this was a message to other MPs who may support the NDA.

Referring to the interaction between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and young people in Mumbai on Thursday, Thackeray said Bhagwat should have first sought Amit Shah’s resignation before addressing the gathering.

BJP spokesperson claps back

Responding to Thackeray’s comments, BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban said, “Uddhav Thackeray does not meet anyone in the party. Sanjay Raut is seething with anger as Modi met the MPs. Modi repeatedly meets opponents and all MPs. The doors of Matoshree (Thackeray’s residence) are closed to all, from workers to MPs.’’

Calling Shinde’s faction the “real Sena”, Ban added, “The courts will take a decision. But the question of who heads the real Sena is clear. There is no question of PM Modi putting pressure on the courts.”