Enraged by pro-Modi slogans, Shiv Sena says ‘bhakts’ would lead to his fall

Enraged by pro-Modi slogans at a recent BMC function, the Shiv Sena on Friday said “Modi bhakts (a term loosely used for Modi supporters)” would lead to his downfall just like those of former PM Indira Gandhi led to hers.

The Shiv Sena statement came days after BJP corporators raised pro-Modi slogans during a cheque-handing ceremony at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.

Shiv Sena in an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said, “today, those who are unnecessarily shouting pro-Modi slogans, are actually maligning his image. There was a time when the slogans in the name of Indira Gandhi were chanted too. Her ‘bhakts’ had insulted the nation by shouting slogans like ‘Indira is India’ and that insult triggered a spark of revolution which culminated into her defeat.”

Sena said even winning 1971 war against Pakistan could not stop Indira Gandhi govt from losing elections.

“The truth is that Indira Gandhi not only won the war against Pakistan in 1971 but also made Pakistan go down on their knees by dividing that country. We want to tell the BJP leadership that Gandhi still lost and that was because of the excessive ‘Indira bhakti’ (worship) displayed by her supporters,” the editorial said.

Calling BJP a “friend”, Shiv Sena cautioned BJP about the “bhakts” and said they can led to their fall too.

“Our friend (the BJP) should remain cautious of its own ‘bhakts.’ Those shouting pro-Modi slogans today may become the reason for his own downfall tomorrow,” the edit said.

The Shiv Sena and the BJP corporators on Wednesday shouted slogans against each other during a Sena-controlled BMC function where the government was handing over an advance cheque of the GST compensation worth Rs 647 crore.

(With PTI inputs)