Ashish Shelar, the Mumbai unit chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announced on Thursday that his party will protest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his consistent derogatory remarks against late Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar. The announcement comes as opposition parties convene in Mumbai for the third meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), aimed at strategizing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and discussing potential new allies.
“Rahul Gandhi has consistently insulted VD Savarkar. Our party workers will stage a strong protest this evening near the venue where he will be speaking,” Shelar told reporters.
Shelar also criticised Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for his inaction when Gandhi disparaged Savarkar, despite Thackeray’s proclaimed admiration for the late freedom fighter. “Thackeray and his party workers have become hosts to people who used to hate Sena. Uddhav Thackeray is serving those who detested Balasaheb Thackeray,” Shelar alleged.
Adding to his criticism, Shelar said that Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar should feel “ashamed” for welcoming leaders “who used to hate Maharashtra.” He argued that while the members of the opposition bloc INDIA claim to be united to save democracy, they are, in fact, trying to save their own political dynasties.
As many as 63 representatives from 28 political parties are slated to attend the INDIA meeting, taking place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1. The convention offers a platform for opposition leaders, including Gandhi, to discuss their strategy against the BJP in the looming Lok Sabha elections.
With political tensions escalating, both intra-party and inter-party, the meeting and subsequent protests promise to be a bellwether for the national mood as India prepares for its next general elections.
