Mumbai: Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced a major blow in Maharashtra after the Samajwadi Party (SP) decided to quit the alliance over a controversial remark made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Milind Narvekar on the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Narvekar posted a photo of Babri Masjid on his X handle on the 32nd anniversary anniversary of its demolition on Friday. The photo was accompanied by a quote from Shiv Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray that read, “I am proud of those who did this.” The post featured photos of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and himself.
— Milind Narvekar (@NarvekarMilind_) December 5, 2024
‘No difference between BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT)’
“An advertisement was given by Shiv Sena (UBT) in a newspaper congratulating those who demolished Babri masjid. His (Uddhav Thackeray) aide has also posted on X hailing the demolition of the mosque,” news agency PTI quoted Maharashtra SP unit chief Abu Azmi said.
He added, “We are quitting the MVA. I am speaking to (Samajwadi Party president) Akhilesh Singh Yadav. If anyone in the MVA speaks such language, what is the difference between the BJP and them? Why should we stay with them?”
Samajwadi Party has two MLAs in Maharashtra MLAs
The party has two MLAs in the assembly. In the Assembly poll results announced on November 23, the alliance got only 46 seats in the 288-member Assembly. On the other hand, the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP won 230 seats, helping to return to power. On Thursday, CM Devendra Fadnvis took oath of office along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
Importantly, the SP has two MLAs in the Assembly. Even as MVA parties decided to skip the oath-taking ceremony on Saturday two SP MLAs Abu Asim Azmi and party leader Rais Shaikh took oath defying the boycott call.
