BJP's intention is to "break the state into pieces" in the name of progress, said Uddhav Thackeray.
In the worst-ever attack yet on former ally BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray likened the ongoing BJP poll campaign in Maharashtra -- led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- to a 17th Century assault by Bijapur general Afzal Khan on the dominion of Chattrapati Shivaji.
"What are they up to? First Modi comes to campaign, then his entire cabinet team is campaigning for votes in Maharashtra. They are like the army of Afzal Khan trying to conquer this state," Mr Thackeray said at a huge rally in the temple of town of Tulzapur today.
Besides the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, chief ministers and other senior leaders have been campaigning in the state for the assembly elections, which are to be held on Oct 15.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamna took on the Prime Minister this morning regarding his statement that he would not target the Sena out of respect for the late Balasaheb Thackeray.(Read:
Silence on Shiv Sena 'Out of Respect for Balasaheb': PM Narendra Modi)
"Where was this respect when the alliance ended over seat-sharing?" asked the vitriolic editorial. Unsigned editorials are sanctioned by Balasaheb's son and Sena chief Mr Thackeray.(Read:
Sena Dismisses PM Narendra Modi's Remark)
Mr Thackeray had even taunted the BJP claims of a Modi wave in the state, asking in that case, why the Prime Minister was holding so many rallies in the state.(
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At today's rally, the Sena chief alleged that the BJP's intention was to "break the state into pieces" in the name of progress and development. "But the people of Maharashtra will not tolerate such attempts. They (the Team Modi) will be made to bite the dust," he asserted.
Afzal Khan, too, met a similar fate when he tried to break up the Maratha empire of Shivaji, he pointed out.
"Do you want Maharashtra to be divided into many pieces? Do you? Then vote for BJP," he asked the gathering, which roared, "No, No."
Mr Thackeray has attacked the BJP over the "betrayal" but has not yet withdrawn from the Union government. Though he had asked the lone Sena cabinet minister Anant Geete to resign, he said the party would pull out of the Union government only after a talk with the PM. (Read:
An Exit from NDA? Not Before Talking to PM, Says Uddhav Thackeray)