Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe’s controversial claim that posts in the undivided Sena were acquired through corrupt means, including gifting Mercedes cars, has sparked backlash from Uddhav Thackeray’s camp. Thackeray, leader of Sena (UBT), dismissed her accusations, urging respect for her as a woman. Gorhe contended her remarks were in response to a direct question and have led to criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) members, who question the appropriateness of political comments at a literary event. Tensions escalated as protests erupted outside Gorhe’s residence, demanding an apology from her to Thackeray.
Mumbai:
The assertion made by Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe regarding the allocation of positions in the former undivided Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, after presenting Mercedes cars has ignited controversy and sparked concerns about the misuse of the Marathi literary meet for political attacks.
Thackeray, who is the head of Sena (UBT), ridiculed Gorhe, the deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, regarding her statement.
“Provide evidence of those cars. These individuals hold no political significance for me, and I have no further comments. Out of respect for her being a woman, I choose to refrain from additional remarks,” he said to reporters on Sunday.
As the dispute intensified, Gorhe stated that her remark was in reply to a particular question.
“I did not make those statements voluntarily,” she explained during an interview with a news channel.
On Saturday, Gorhe alleged that positions in the undivided Sena were acquired through corrupt practices, including the giving of Mercedes cars.
The statements, made during the 98th All India Marathi Literary Meet in Delhi, were met with strong backlash from Shiv Sena (UBT), which was formed after the split from the original Shiv Sena.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called for an explanation from the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, the event organizers, questioning the suitability of political statements at a literary event. He raised concerns over whether the gathering was influenced by political pressure.
“If what Gorhe claimed were accurate, there would have been a line of Mercedes cars at Matoshree (Uddhav Thackeray’s residence),” remarked Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, during a press conference.
He pointed out that the party supported his journey from a common worker in Marathwada without demanding any financial remuneration.
“Gorhe only filled out forms for four terms (as MLC during her time in the undivided Sena),” he alleged.
Danve’s colleague, Sushma Andhare, suggested that Gorhe should reveal the extent of her benefits from her three-decade-long involvement with the undivided Shiv Sena.
“She wielded considerable power regarding appointments while in the undivided Sena. Given her claims of corruption, she should justify her income during that period,” Andhare remarked.
Following the split in June 2022, Gorhe had pledged her allegiance to the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
Raut sought clarity from the Marathi literary meet’s organizers.
In a letter to Usha Tambe, chairperson of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, Raut stated, “Many topics addressed during the 98th Literary Meet were unrelated to literature. It seems the event was convened under political influence. The Sahitya Mahamandal platform was severely misappropriated.”
Raut also alleged Gorhe mentioned she contributed Rs 50 lakh to attend the event and gifted a Mercedes car to Tambe.
“I cannot verify the accuracy of this assertion, but such statements are damaging to the Mahamandal’s reputation,” he asserted and requested an apology “if the event was not sanctioned properly.”
In the midst of the uproar, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers demonstrated outside Gorhe’s residence in Pune on Sunday.
They chanted slogans and demanded an apology from Gorhe to Uddhav Thackeray.
“She received multiple positions from Thackeray, but after switching her loyalties, Gorhe seems to have forgotten everything. She used to request assistance from many of us without complaint. However, we reject her baseless claims against Thackeray,” a protestor stated.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been modified by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)