Bawankule Calls Uddhav a “Mindless Leader”

Nagpur: Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday, labelling him a "mindless leader". He also criticised Thackeray for his remarks against the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union home minister Amit Shah.Speaking to the media at the airport, Bawankule termed Thackeray's allegations as "childish" and "unproductive". He also accused Thackeray of resorting to baseless allegations to cover up his dwindling political influence."Thackeray should introspect on why 13 MPs and 50 MLAs abandoned him. It was not the BJP's plot but his inability to give respect to his party leaders that led to the split. He could not provide effective leadership. Had he maintained good relations with his elected representatives, the political scenario in Maharashtra would have been entirely different today," Bawankule said.He accused Thackeray of betraying public trust by breaking the BJP-Sena pre-election alliance in 2019, describing it as the root cause of the political upheaval in Maharashtra. "Thackeray's betrayal tarnished Maharashtra's political landscape. If he had not backstabbed the BJP, the state would have been on a more prosperous path," Bawankule remarked.Dismissing Thackeray's allegations against the BJP, Modi, Shah, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Bawankule said Thackeray's statements reflected his "frustration and immaturity." "Blaming BJP leaders will not change the reality of his dwindling support base. The people of Maharashtra are tired of his repetitive and baseless speeches," he added.Highlighting the achievements of the Mahayuti govt, Bawankule pointed out that ₹17.75 lakh crore worth of investments were brought to Maharashtra under Fadnavis' leadership. "This govt is fully committed to development. Vidarbha and the entire state will witness unprecedented progress under the double-engine govt led by PM Modi and CM Fadnavis," he asserted.Bawankule also highlighted govt's focus on the development of backward regions like Gadchiroli and Buldhana. He said the Mahayuti govt has resolved the long-pending issues related to irrigation and infrastructure in the region. "This govt is focused on taking Maharashtra forward, unlike Thackeray, who remains stuck in an outdated political mindset like a mindless leader," he said.He further mocked Uddhav and his son Aaditya, calling their tenure a failure. "Aaditya Thackeray, as tourism minister, spent two years on tours rather than focussing on work. He is immature and lacks the vision to lead Maharashtra effectively," Bawankule said.Predicting a bleak political future for Uddhav, the Kamptee MLA remarked, "Even his allies have abandoned him. If he continues on this path, the day is not far when he will be left alone. The people of Maharashtra want development, not hollow speeches."