PM Modi Criticizes Opposition’s Allegiance to ‘Sambhaji Maharaj’s Killer’ Ahead of Maharashtra Polls

Ahead of Maharashtra's elections, PM Modi criticized opposition parties for disrespecting Maratha heritage and opposing reservation policies. He highlighted BJP’s focus on preserving Maratha pride, while Amit Shah labeled the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi as an "Aurangzeb fan club," emphasizing a choice between MVA’s policies and the BJP’s principles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at the opposition in Maharashtra on Thursday, accusing them of disrespecting the legacy of Maratha warrior-king Sambhaji Maharaj, who was executed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. At a campaign rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Modi argued that those who “see a messiah in the killer of Sambhaji Maharaj” are undermining Maharashtra’s pride and identity. This rally was held ahead of the state assembly elections set for November 20.

Modi emphasized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s commitment to preserving Maratha heritage, pointing out the recent renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in honor of the Maratha leader. He linked this decision to the principles of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, arguing that it fulfilled Thackeray’s long-standing wish.

In addition to heritage preservation, Modi criticized the Congress Party, asserting that it is fundamentally opposed to reservation policies and economic progress. “Congress has a divisive approach and has historically resisted the idea of reservations,” Modi said. He claimed that Congress remains uncomfortable with a prime minister from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and holds outdated views on social equity.

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Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed the opposition, calling the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance an “Aurangzeb fan club.” He suggested that Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, has abandoned the ideologies of his father, Bal Thackeray, by allying with those who opposed policies like the abrogation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram Temple. Shah urged voters to choose between the MVA’s “appeasement” politics and the BJP-led Mahayuti’s values rooted in Maratha pride and Indian sovereignty.