Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a scathing attack on the erstwhile UPA government, asserting that its choice not to strike Pakistan following the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks amounted to “treachery.” This strong condemnation came during his annual Dussehra rally in Mumbai.
Shinde’s remarks specifically referenced a recent podcast where former Union Minister P. Chidambaram indicated his personal preference for military retribution after 26/11, a course of action ultimately rejected by the UPA government. Chidambaram also mentioned that international powers, including the U.S., had urged India to avoid initiating a war.
Reflecting on the 2008 attacks, Shinde declared, “Hundreds of people died, and under some inexplicable pressure, the UPA government chose not to attack Pakistan. This was an act of helplessness, cowardice, and profound dishonesty with the nation. It was nothing short of treachery against the people of India.”
In contrast, the Deputy Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s robust response to subsequent terror incidents, highlighting how “blood was met with blood and cannons responded to bullets” after the Pahalgam attack. He proudly stated that Prime Minister Modi had effectively taught Pakistan a tough lesson, making it clear that no other country would interfere between India and its neighbor. “Only Modi possessed the courage to declare this, and we should all be immensely proud,” Shinde added.
Shinde further intensified his rhetoric against Pakistan, calling it a “jackal” that “cannot become a lion just by wearing its skin.” He proclaimed, “A lion is always a lion, and Prime Minister Modi stands as that lion.”
The political leader then turned his attention to the rival Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, sarcastically suggesting their Dussehra rally should have been held in Pakistan. He quipped, “Your rally should have been held in Pakistan, and you should have invited Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir as chief guest,” accusing the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena of questioning the Indian Armed forces’ bravery and echoing Pakistan’s narrative.
Responding to earlier taunts from the Shiv Sena (UBT) about holding his party’s rally in Surat and inviting Amit Shah, Shinde retorted, “Our rally is in India, and we would not hesitate to invite Union Home Minister Amit Shah. You have no moral right to criticize us.”
Without directly naming Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde criticized him for allegedly working against his own party members. “How can he be a leader when he relentlessly works to suppress his own party colleagues? Is there any such leader in other political parties who acts against his own party leaders?” Shinde questioned, referencing his 2022 split from Thackeray that divided the Shiv Sena.
“He consistently dismissed anyone who left the party as ‘garbage,’ but will he ever truly introspect?” the Deputy Chief Minister pondered. He concluded by accusing the UPA government of corruption, asserting that Prime Minister Modi, upon taking office, ensured that all corrupt individuals faced justice.