Thackeray Accuses BJP Of Hypocrisy On Pakistan Cricket Match
Supporters of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) staged a protest against the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan in Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray unleashed a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a Mumbai press conference on Tuesday, accusing them of hypocrisy for allowing India to play a cricket match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The match, which India won by seven wickets on Sunday, drew fierce criticism amid boycott calls on social media, particularly following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Thackeray argued that India’s participation exposed the BJP’s “farce of patriotism” and called for a complete boycott of such engagements to demonstrate national resolve.
Addressing reporters, the former Maharashtra Chief Minister questioned the BJP’s stance on national security, pointing out the contradiction in India’s diplomatic narrative. “We call Pakistan a terror sponsor, yet we play cricket with them. The world sees this and questions us—are they our enemy or friend? If they’re our enemy, cut all ties!” Thackeray said, noting that India’s all-party delegations failed to garner international support post-Pahalgam due to such inconsistencies. He accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of prioritizing commercial interests over national sentiment.
Thackeray didn’t spare the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a key BJP ally, accusing them of valuing political power over patriotism. “They cling to their chairs, not the country,” he remarked sharply. He also criticized the Mahayuti government’s financial mismanagement, highlighting Maharashtra’s crippling Rs 9 lakh crore debt. “Taking loans to fund contractor-driven projects like dams and bridges isn’t development—it’s a debt spiral,” Thackeray said, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility over flashy schemes.
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Additionally, Thackeray demanded urgent relief for farmers devastated by recent heavy rains, accusing the state of neglecting rural communities. “Instead of publicity stunts, focus on real issues like farmer welfare,” he said. His remarks have stirred a political storm, amplifying debates about nationalism, governance, and India’s foreign policy, with the cricket match serving as a lightning rod for broader tensions.
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