Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, has launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, calling him ‘Baburao’ from the popular Bollywood film Hera Pheri. The comment was made during a public meeting in the Sangola Assembly constituency, marking another instance in the ongoing political rivalry between the two leaders.

Shinde criticized Thackeray for misleading the people with his ‘innocent demeanor’, suggesting that the former CM has been deceptive in his leadership approach. In a particularly biting remark, Shinde mocked Thackeray’s use of Facebook Live broadcasts, which the Shiv Sena (UBT) president has been using to engage with his followers. Shinde ridiculed Thackeray's FB sessions, calling them a ‘time pass’ and said the acronym FB stood for ‘Fokat Baburao’ (meaning 'worthless Baburao'), emphasizing the irrelevance of these online activities. He further claimed that he himself represented the ‘favorite brother’ of Maharashtra, in stark contrast to Thackeray’s online presence. Shinde stated, "I am also FB, but Maharashtra's ‘favorite brother’, Maharashtra's ‘Laadla Bhai’... there is a difference, see the difference."

This was a continuation of the Shinde-Thackeray feud that escalated after Shinde led a revolt against Thackeray's leadership, ultimately forming a new faction of Shiv Sena and aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The political rivalry has turned personal, with both leaders taking jabs at each other’s leadership styles and public images.

In his speech, Shinde went on to highlight the contrast between his own leadership and the ‘time-wasting’ activities of Thackeray, positioning himself as the more action-oriented figure in Maharashtra politics. Shinde’s remarks have drawn significant attention in the media and across social media platforms, with both supporters and critics weighing in on his comments.

In a separate development, Shinde also addressed the recent extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Shinde lauded the Indian government’s efforts to bring Rana back to India after his extradition from the United States. Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian, was flown back to India on a special plane after a lengthy legal battle. Shinde congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for their role in facilitating the extradition, highlighting that Rana’s return would ensure he faces severe punishment for his involvement in one of India’s most devastating terror attacks.

Shinde took to social media (X) to express his sentiments, praising the international cooperation between India and the United States. He shared that the extradition followed a conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, culminating in the transfer of the accused to India. Shinde’s remarks emphasized the significance of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks and reassured the public that the mastermind behind the attacks would face appropriate consequences.

The extradition of Tahawwur Rana marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to bring all 26/11 conspirators to justice, nearly 16 years after the attacks. With his return, authorities aim to uncover more details about the global terrorist network involved in the attacks, bringing closure to the victims’ families and reaffirming India’s commitment to fighting terrorism.

In the broader context of Maharashtra’s political climate, the remarks by Eknath Shinde serve to further entrench the divide between his faction and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). Shinde’s public statements regarding both Thackeray and Rana have generated widespread media attention and will likely fuel the ongoing political discourse in Maharashtra as both leaders continue their pursuit of political relevance and power.

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