‘Leaving BJP Doesn’t Mean Abandoning Hindutva’: Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant Exclusive On India News Manch

In a political conclave titled ‘Manch’ organized by India News today (July 29), Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant engaged in a notable discussion with India News Mumbai Bureau Chief Vikas Srivastava. The topic of the session was ‘Maharashtra’s Mahabharat’.

It is known that the Mahabharat lasted for 18 days, but the Mahabharat of Maharashtra seems never-ending, persisting for two years now. During this time, two major political parties have fractured severely. Today, we’ll delve into this ongoing saga with Arvind Sawant, a distinguished member of the Shiv Sena. Maharashtra’s politics is as fascinating as it is complex. It’s hard to discern who is a friend and for how long. Why does this happen?

Arvind Sawant answered that, Maharashtra has always been a state with a strong identity, rich culture, and mutual respect even among political rivals. The current turmoil, however, is unprecedented. In the past five years, the political maneuvers and strategies employed by the ruling party have been unlike anything I’ve seen before. Betrayal and backstabbing have become commonplace.

In a counter question, there are allegations that Uddhav Thackeray did not allocate time and funds appropriately, favoring the NCP.

Arvind answered that these are false claims. In the alliance, the Shiv Sena had the strongest relationship with the BJP, followed by the Akali Dal. Corruption isn’t just about money; it extends to behavior and ideology.

What is your definition of Hindutva?

We have distanced ourselves from the BJP, not from Hinduism. Leaving the BJP doesn’t mean abandoning Hindutva. It isn’t the exclusive domain of any political party. Our version of Hindutva is practical – serving the people while keeping faith (Mu me Ram, Hath me kaam).

Despite having 19 CMs, with 13 from the Maratha community, why are Marathas still protesting for justice?

This is indicative of the fractured politics in Maharashtra. When the Mandal Commission was implemented, Balasaheb Thackeray was the only leader who opposed it, arguing that caste-based reservations would deepen societal divisions. Instead, he advocated for bringing the underprivileged forward regardless of their caste.

How many seats will Shiv Sena prepare to contest in the Vidhan Sabha out of 288?

We haven’t finalized the numbers yet. Our strategy is to ensure victory; the party with the best chance to win will contest the most seats. We are confident that in the upcoming elections, our alliance will secure over 180 seats and establish a strong government.

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