The Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra has been embroiled in controversy after UBT leader Bala Darade threatened to blacken Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's face if he visited Nashik against his past comments on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.
Nashik city unit chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), Bala Darade criticized Rahul for referring to Savarkar as 'mafi-veer' and said that he will pelt stones at Congress leaders' convoy when he will visit Nashik and he didn't care about the consequences of his threat for the MVA allaince.
Devendra Bhutada, a resident of Nashik, has filed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his feelings were hurt by his LoP's remarks against Savarkar.
Darade's comments have elicited strong reactions from both allies. Sushma Andhare, spokesperson of UBT stated that Darade's views were his own and not the official position of the UBT party, while Congress strongly opposed Darade's remarks.
Congress Maharashtra state president Harshwardhan Sapkal stated that Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi have sacrificed their lives for country's unity, and Congress and its leadership are not afraid of these threats. He further emphasized that comments on Savarkar contain historical references, and even Arun Shourie, a minister in the Vajpayee government, has written a book on Savarkar, referencing Rahul Gandhi's words.
Congress leader Yashomati Thakur asserts her party supports non-violence and can respond to threats, stating that Rahul Gandhi simply repeated historical narratives. Meanwhile Atul Londhe, spokesperson for Congress's state unit, claimed Darade's comments were part of a BJP conspiracy and hoped Uddhav Thackeray would act against him, who had crossed the line to attack an alliance partner leader.
The incident highlights the fragile ties between Congress and Sena (UBT), especially over ideological issues like Savarkar's legacy, despite being coalition partners as MVA and INDIA alliance.
