Bala Darade Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remarks

Tensions escalated on the political front after Bala Darade, deputy metropolitan chief of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), issued a fiery warning to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The statement was made during a program held in Nashik to mark Savarkar’s birth anniversary. During the event, Darade strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi’s past comments about Savarkar and warned him not to visit Nashik. In an aggressive tone, Darade declared, “We will not tolerate any insult to Savarkar. If Rahul Gandhi comes to Nashik, we will smear black paint on his face and pelt stones at his car.”

Darade further stated, “The remarks about Savarkar are unacceptable. For us, it is Savarkar and Hindutva first. The Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) has fallen into a political pit. They have no right to comment on our icons.” His statement has caused a stir within the MVA alliance, which includes the Congress, NCP, and the Shiv Sena (UBT). The aggressive rhetoric has reignited internal tensions, especially as the alliance prepares for upcoming civic and assembly elections.

This is not the first time Darade has made provocative remarks, but the direct threat to a national leader like Rahul Gandhi has drawn sharp reactions across party lines. While Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) leaders have yet to officially comment on Darade’s statement, opposition parties are expected to condemn the threats and call for accountability. Political observers say this latest outburst highlights the increasingly volatile nature of Maharashtra’s political climate, where ideological clashes and personal attacks are becoming more frequent as elections approach.