‘Doors Not Open For Traitors’: Amit Shah Ends Reconciliation Buzz With Message For Uddhav Thackeray – News18

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 11:07 IST

The home minister also took a dig at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, accusing him of fostering political instability in Maharashtra since 1978

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s fiery statements during the BJP’s Maharashtra state executive meeting in Shirdi have stirred the political cauldron in Maharashtra.

Shah, by branding Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray a “traitor”, shut the door on any possible reconciliation, sending an unambiguous message about the BJP’s political priorities.

The home minister’s speech came as the BJP celebrated its landslide victory in the recent state assembly elections. He attributed the success to the party’s disciplined leadership and grassroots workers, while crediting voters for rejecting leaders associated with “betrayal politics”. Shah’s pointed criticism of Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar highlights the BJP’s strategy of presenting itself as a party that values loyalty and ideological consistency.

The political rift between the BJP and Uddhav Thackeray dates back to the 2019 Maharashtra political crisis. Thackeray parted ways with the BJP, his party’s long-time ally, to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with the Congress and NCP. For the BJP, this was a betrayal of the ideological partnership rooted in Hindutva, and Shah’s recent remarks reflect lingering bitterness over this fallout. By calling Thackeray a “traitor,” Shah not only reinforced this narrative but also dismissed any speculation about a potential reunion between the two factions.

Rumours of rapprochement have persisted due to a series of recent interactions between Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Even Shiv Sena (UBT)’s mouthpiece Saamana praised Fadnavis’s developmental work in Gadchiroli, adding fuel to fire. However, Shah’s unequivocal statement—“doors are not open for traitors”—has put such speculation to rest.

For Thackeray, Shah’s remarks come at a challenging time. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is struggling to maintain its relevance after losing power and witnessing the BJP consolidate its influence. To reclaim its traditional voter base, the UBT faction has taken an aggressive Hindutva stance and announced plans to contest upcoming municipal elections independently.

The decision stems from growing dissatisfaction within the Shiv Sena (UBT) over the MVA alliance. According to party leaders, Congress and NCP votes have not adequately transferred to Shiv Sena (UBT) in previous elections, weakening its position. Furthermore, the ideological divide between the UBT faction’s Hindutva narrative and the secular positions of its allies, Congress and NCP, has created visible cracks in the alliance. By deciding to go solo, Uddhav Thackeray hopes to appeal to his core supporters, particularly those who felt alienated by his 2019 partnership with the Congress and NCP. However, whether this strategy will work remains uncertain, given the BJP’s growing dominance in the state.

Shah’s attack wasn’t limited to Uddhav Thackeray. He also took a dig at Pawar, accusing him of fostering political instability in Maharashtra since 1978. Shah claimed that the BJP’s recent electoral victory had buried such “politics of betrayal 20 feet underground”.

The statement aims to position the BJP as a stabilising force in Maharashtra politics, contrasting it with the opportunistic alliances associated with leaders like Pawar. By directly addressing Pawar, Shah also sent a warning to NCP factions and other regional players who might consider aligning with the BJP in the future.

The BJP’s firm stance against reuniting with Uddhav Thackeray serves a dual purpose. First, it reinforces the party’s image as ideologically committed and unwilling to compromise with leaders it deems untrustworthy. Second, it consolidates its position among voters who prioritise stability and decisive leadership over shifting alliances. By drawing a hard line against potential alliances with the Shiv Sena (UBT), the BJP is also preventing internal dissent within its ranks. Shah’s statement acts as a deterrent for BJP leaders who may have been warming up to the idea of patching up with Thackeray.

As Maharashtra gears up for local body elections, the political strategies of both the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) will be tested. The BJP, buoyed by its recent successes, is likely to double down on its efforts to expand its reach in the state. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faces an uphill battle to rebuild its base and regain lost ground. Uddhav’s decision to focus on Hindutva may resonate with a section of voters, but it risks alienating his MVA allies. On the other hand, Shah’s aggressive rhetoric reflects the BJP’s confidence in its ability to dominate Maharashtra’s political landscape without relying on past allies.

Amit Shah’s statements in Shirdi have further polarised Maharashtra’s political scene. By rejecting the possibility of an alliance with Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP has drawn a clear line in the sand, challenging Shiv Sena (UBT) to prove its mettle independently. For voters, these developments present a choice between competing visions of leadership, loyalty, and governance—a decision that will shape the state’s political future in the months to come.