Shinde slams Sena (UBT), says likening PM Modi to Aurangzeb is treason, insult to nation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday hit out at rival Shiv Sena (UBT) and said comments of its senior leader likening Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was an act of treason and an insult to the nation.

Addressing a press conference here after a conclave of his party Shiv Sena, Shinde said the ruling 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) has set a target of winning 45 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the upcoming elections.

The ruling coalition comprises the Shiv Sena, the BJP and the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Shinde praised the Modi government for nullifying Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, thus fulfilling the dreams of Shiv Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray.

He said the day-long conclave was attended by the ruling party's constituency observers, office-bearers, MLAs, MPs and a review was conducted to assess preparations for the upcoming polls.

''The remarks are unfortunate. Aurangzeb hurt the self-respect of Maharashtra. Likening Prime Minister Narendra Modi (to the Mughal emperor) is an insult to the country. It's treason,'' the CM said.

''The people of the state will give a befitting reply through ballots,'' Shinde said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday likened Modi to the medieval-era Mughal emperor, inviting a sharp retort from the BJP.

Addressing a rally in Buldhana in the Vidarbha region, Raut said while Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha empire, was born in Maharashtra, Aurangzeb was born in the present-day Gujarat, the home state of Modi.

''There is a place called Dahod (in Gujarat) where Modi was born, Aurangzeb was also born there. So this Aurangzebi attitude is marching towards Maharashtra from Gujarat and Delhi, and also against Shiv Sena and our self-respect. Don't say Modi has come, say Aurangzeb has arrived. We will bury them,'' Raut had said.

Shinde said Aurangzeb did not even spare his brother, a veiled jibe at his predecessor and rival Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Uddhav Thackeray fell out with his brother and also cousin MNS chief Raj Thackeray. There was a property dispute in the family involving Uddhav Thackeray and his elder brother Jaidev after the death of their father Bal Thackeray in 2012.