CM Shinde takes potshot at Thackeray with ‘auto vs Mercedes’ remark

Thackeray, addressing a meeting of party workers, announced he was hurt by the chain of events and called the rebels 'traitors'

Newly appointed Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde—a fortnight after breaking away and rebelling against Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray—targeted his party chief and predecessor through comparison of their origins.

“The Mercedes could not catch up with the speed of the auto-rickshaw…that's why it's the common people’s government,” Shinde tweeted, in a clear challenge to those who had ridiculed his humble beginnings. Shinde used to drive an autorickshaw to make ends meet in his initial days, and during the political crisis, some party leaders targeted his origins.

As per The Indian Express report, Thackeray first took a jibe at Shinde’s State Assembly speech by attacking his previous job as an auto driver.

Also Read | Eknath Shinde was made Maharashtra CM on my proposal to BJP leadership: Fadnavis

“The Assembly speech on Monday made it clear as to when the conspiracy (of rebellion) had started. The deputy CM (Devendra Fadnavis) was telling him (Shinde) to stop … but the brakes of the vehicle had failed, how will it stop?” Thackeray said in a meeting of Shiv Sena women’s wing at Sena Bhawan on Tuesday.

"Earlier they (BJP) used to call the MVA government a three-wheeler government, now the one who drives a three-wheeler is running the government…,” he added.

Shinde used to drive an autorickshaw to make ends meet in his initial days, and during the political crisis, some party leaders targeted his origins.

Meanwhile, Thackeray’s aide, and Shiv Sena chief spokesperson, Sanjay Raut claimed the party will win more than 100 seats if midterm elections were to be held. “The Shiv Sena will win over 100 seats if mid-term polls are held now in the state. There is anger against the rebels and enthusiasm among the party workers,” said Raut.

In a related development, the Shinde faction issued notices to 14 MLAs for violating a whip issued by Bharat Gogawale during the Speaker’s election and trust vote—however, spared Thackeray’s son and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray—“out of respect”.