BJP to Gain Numbers in Parliament? Maharashtra Leader’s Claim Shakes Opposition

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan on Sunday made a sensational claim that some MPs from the opposition camp, especially Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), are in touch with the BJP.

He indicated that the BJP's numbers in Parliament will soon increase. Mahajan made this claim while talking to reporters after visiting the famous Pandharpur temple in Solapur district.

He said, "The number of BJP MPs will increase further. Earlier four MPs were in touch with us, now three more MPs are going to join. These MPs are from different parties, but most of them belong to Shiv Sena (UBT)." Mahajan took a dig at Uddhav Thackeray and said that the "Thackeray brand" has now lost its shine in Maharashtra.

'The name Thackeray is no longer the same'
Mahajan targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and said that the name Thackeray is no longer the same.

He claimed, "Balasaheb Thackeray was the real Shiv Sena leader, but in 2019, Uddhav left Balasaheb's ideas by allying with the Congress. The Thackeray brand ended at that very moment."

He also responded to Uddhav's statement in which he had said in an interview to Sanjay Raut, editor of "Saamana" newspaper, that Thackeray is not just a brand but the identity of Maharashtra, Marathi Manus and Hindu pride. Mahajan rejected it outright.

Mahajan reacted sharply to the claim of some opposition leaders, especially former Congress state president Nana Patole, that the previous government of Eknath Shinde was formed because of "CD".

He said, "The opposition is shooting arrows in the air. Some talk about the Nashik CD, some mention the pen drive. If you have any proof, then submit it to the Speaker. What is the use of rhetoric without proof?"

Patole had alleged a "honeytrap" scam against the officials posted in Thane, Nashik and Mantralaya. On this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said in the Assembly on Friday that no case of blackmailing through honeytrap has come to light in the state. He said that a woman had filed a complaint in Nashik, but it was later withdrawn.