New Delhi – Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, alleging that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have failed on all fronts. Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray said the country is in need of a more capable leadership at the highest level.
"Modi and Shah are more focused on breaking other parties to benefit the BJP than serving the nation’s interests,” Thackeray said.
He particularly criticized the government’s foreign policy, calling it an outright failure. “Modi has traveled across the globe, but today, no country stands with us. The Prime Minister must clarify who our true allies are and who our enemies are,” he demanded.
Thackeray raised questions over India's diplomatic and sporting engagements with adversarial nations. “Pakistan is our enemy, then why are we playing cricket with them? China is our enemy too, so why is the Prime Minister planning to visit China?” he asked.
He also took aim at the absence of key leadership during crises: “The Prime Minister and Home Minister are always seen basking in the limelight, but when the nation faces a crisis, both disappear.”
Referring to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s mockery of Modi and India, Thackeray expressed concern that the Indian PM remains silent even on pressing issues like unjust tariffs that directly impact the lives of ordinary Indians. “In such situations, the Prime Minister should take a firm stand, but he chooses to remain silent,” he said.
"Why Conduct a Farce Called Elections?" – Thackeray on EVMs
Addressing concerns over the upcoming local body elections, Thackeray strongly opposed the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) without VVPAT verification. “Elections conducted through EVMs without transparency tools threaten the credibility of democracy. If this is the approach, why bother with elections at all? Just declare whatever results you want,” he said sarcastically.
"No Objection to Hindi, But Don’t Impose It"
Commenting on the recent controversy regarding compulsory Hindi education in Maharashtra schools, Thackeray clarified that there is no opposition to the Hindi language. “We are not against any language, but no language should be imposed upon us,” he said. “I am speaking in Hindi with you right now. Even the Prime Minister and Home Minister, who are not native Hindi speakers, speak fluent Hindi. But did all of us study Hindi from the first grade? That’s the question,” he added.
Open to Alliance with MNS: Thackeray
When asked about the possibility of an alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Thackeray refrained from giving a definitive answer but said, “Both Raj Thackeray and I are capable of making that decision. There’s no need for a third party’s involvement.
