Sun Dec 08 09:31:39 UTC 2024: ## Shiv Sena Accuses Samajwadi Party of Acting as BJP’s “B Team” Amidst MVA Alliance Rift

**Mumbai, India –** Tensions are escalating within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra following accusations by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray that the Samajwadi Party (SP) is acting as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “B Team.” This comes after SP leader Abu Azmi announced the party’s withdrawal from the MVA, citing a controversial social media post and newspaper advertisement by a Shiv Sena (UBT) member celebrating the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition.

The controversy ignited with a social media post by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Milind Narvekar commemorating the demolition anniversary and featuring quotes from party founder Bal Thackeray praising the event. This was followed by a newspaper advertisement with similar content. Azmi, in response, stated that aligning with a party celebrating the demolition was unacceptable and announced the SP’s exit from the MVA alliance. He also called on the Congress party to reconsider its alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Aaditya Thackeray, while clarifying that his comments weren’t directed at SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, accused the SP’s Maharashtra unit of repeatedly acting as a proxy for the BJP. He emphasized that the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Hindutva ideology is inclusive and focuses on development.

This accusation was met with immediate backlash from Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh, who questioned the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s shift towards “hardcore Hindutva” and its reliance on SP votes. Shaikh indicated that the SP would be discussing the matter with senior party leaders.

The escalating conflict threatens to further destabilize the already fragile MVA alliance, raising questions about its future and the political landscape of Maharashtra.

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