Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray opted to offer a pointed critique aimed at the BJP regarding its initial release of 195 candidate names for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, conspicuously omitting Union minister Nitin Gadkari, a longstanding two-time MP representing the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency. Thackeray expressed his astonishment at Gadkari's absence from the BJP's roster, particularly highlighting their prior collaborative efforts, notably in the realization of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a project of personal significance initiated by Thackeray's father and Shiv Sena's founder, Bal Thackeray, as reported by news agency PTI.
Thackeray's commentary coincided with the BJP's pending announcement of candidates for Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats. In a subtle jab directed at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray underscored his skepticism regarding the sustainability of political strategies centered on dismantling opposition factions, suggesting a shift from mere rhetoric to tangible action, symbolically renaming hollow pledges as 'guarantees.'
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut denounced the inclusion of BJP figure Kripashankar Singh, who had faced accusations of financial impropriety, casting aspersions on the Maharashtra government's purported commitment to prosecuting corrupt officials. Raut questioned Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's assertions regarding possessing incriminating evidence against allegedly corrupt leaders, provocatively questioning the fate of such evidence.
Kripashankar Singh, designated as a BJP candidate from Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, responded to Thackeray and Raut's criticisms by asserting his legal exoneration from all charges, concurrently questioning the political credibility of individuals lacking their own distinct party affiliations, implicitly referencing Thackeray. Singh, who had previously headed the Mumbai unit of Congress and served as a Minister of State for Home, transitioned to the BJP in 2021 following discordance with the Congress over the NDA government's revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019.
Dismissive of Thackeray's remarks, Singh dismissed criticisms from individuals lacking a firm political footing, further questioning Thackeray's commitment during his tenure as Chief Minister, highlighting purported absenteeism from governmental duties.
