In a public meeting, MLA Hitendra Thakur of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) mocked the defamation notice sent by Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan, who had demanded Rs 5 crore for alleged defamation. Thakur ridiculed the notice, stating, “I only got a notice for Rs 5 crore. This is an insult to me. For devaluing my worth, I will file a defamation claim against the minister.” This statement came during a massive show of strength by the BVA on Friday, where Thakur also fiercely attacked the BJP and the Thackeray faction. He responded to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s criticism by saying, “No one has been able to finish us in 35 years, so how will you?”
Election Campaign Heats Up in Palghar
The Palghar Lok Sabha election campaign is reaching its peak. On Friday, the BVA organized a large rally in Shreeprastha, Nalasopara. A significant number of BVA supporters attended the rally, where Hitendra Thakur took on Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s accusations made in Dahanu. Thakur responded to Fadnavis’s derogatory comments about Vasai residents, who Fadnavis said should be wiped out from Vasai, by stating, “In 35 years, no one has been able to finish us. How will you? Speaking of wiping out Vasai residents is an insult to them.” Thakur also addressed the false propaganda that a vote for BVA is a vote for the BJP. He clarified, “These two parties were together once, but we stand firmly against both.”
Mocking the Defamation Notice
Thakur had alleged that Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan was collecting Rs 100 crores from the district leading to Chavan sending a Rs 5 crore defamation notice to Thakur. Thakur ridiculed this notice during the rally, saying, “Chavan himself admits to holding meetings with officials and contractors. I only revealed the figures they demanded. What does election campaigning have to do with meetings between officials and contractors?” Thakur humorously added that by valuing him at only Rs 5 crore, Chavan insulted him, prompting him to consider filing his own defamation claim against the minister.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Double Standards
Rajesh Patil, the BVA candidate, accused Uddhav Thackeray of double standards regarding the Wadhwan Port project. Patil explained that when Thackeray was the Chief Minister, local citizens approached him about the port. Thackeray then stated that the port was a central project, directing the citizens to the central government. At that time, Shiv Sena’s Industry Minister Subhash Desai had approved Rs 16,000 crore for the project in the legislature. Now, Thackeray speaks against the project in public meetings, showing double standards, according to Patil.
No Votes in the Name of Temples
Former Mayor Praveena Thakur criticized Narendra Modi and the BJP, saying, “I am deeply religious. Our Thakur family is building a grand temple, open to all. However, we do not seek votes in the name of the temple. Building a temple is an act of faith. We do not say, ‘We built a temple, so vote for us.’ Unlike Modi, who seeks votes through religious politics,” she alleged. Former Mayor Narayan Mankar, party leader Rajiv Patil, Sagir Dange, and Banbashe Naik also delivered speeches during the rally.
In conclusion, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi’s rally in Nalasopara was a show of strength, as the party not only mocked the defamation notice from Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan but also took strong stances against the BJP and Thackeray faction. MLA Hitendra Thakur’s fierce speech against Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the accusations of double standards against Uddhav Thackeray by Rajesh Patil highlighted the intense political atmosphere as the Palghar Lok Sabha elections approach. The BVA leaders also made it clear that they do not seek votes through religious means, setting themselves apart from their political rivals.
