While bullets flew in Pahalgam…: Milind Deora slams Uddhav Thackeray family for Europe trip

Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora slammed Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Chief Uddhav Thackeray for holidaying with his family in Europe when the deadly terrorist attacks took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.

In a social media post, Deora wrote, “From sons of the soil to tourists of India — how far the Thackerays have fallen. While bullets flew in Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe.”

He added, “On Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word. No statement. No solidarity. No shame”.

While speaking to reporters, he said, “When the terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, the Thackeray family was enjoying a holiday in Europe.”

He further appreciated the efforts of various political leaders, especially former Chief Minister and Chairperson of the Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde, who, according to him, worked on the ground to help aid the victims and their families.

In his scathing attack, he questioned Uddhav Thackeray’s immediate response to the attack, saying, “They were only posting on social media. No member of the Shiv Sena (UBT) was present at the all-party meeting called by the government.

He added, “After a few days, when Maharashtra Day was celebrated on May 1, which also happens to be Labour Day as per international recognition, they did not even post about it on social media”.

On May 1 every year, the Maharashtra Foundation Day is celebrated. Uddhav Thackeray’s absence from the 65th such celebratory event also drew criticism from the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Leaders from various state parties gathered to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement at a ceremony in Hutatma Chowk.

BJP Mumbai Chief and Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar accused Uddhav Thackeray of failing to uphold the Marathi identity, which Uddhav Thackeray often invokes.

Deora said, “It is expected that today the whole of Maharashtra and its people believe that if there is a politician who is truly following the footsteps of Balasaheb Thackeray and taking his legacy forward, it is Eknath Shinde”.

He called the politics of Uddhav Thackeray “entitled” and “part-time” and added, “luxury politics is not going to work in Maharashtra”.

“(PM) Modi ji has stopped this luxury politics at the central level, and this will soon stop in Maharashtra as well”, said Deora, concluding.

It is believed that Uddhav Thackeray left for Europe on the same day that the terror attack occurred in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir which killed 26 people while injuring 17 others.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has since then been under fire from the opposition.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government announced Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia each for the families of six state natives who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. The state government has also promised jobs to kin of the victims from Maharashtra.