From 50-car convoy to two-wheeler optics; sudden evolution of VVIP austerity: Shiv Sena(UBT) in ‘Saamana’

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre for its handling of the current economic and fuel crisis while labelling the administration the “Gharkombda Bhushan” (Stay-at-Home) government.

The Thackeray camp, in a scathing editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, claimed that the self-serving policies have bankrupted state-run cooperative oil and gas giants like ONGC. While these essential companies struggle, the BJP reportedly holds Rs 10,000 crore in its accounts, with thousands more sitting in the PM CARES Fund. It has asked the BJP to donate these funds to the national treasury as a true example of sacrifice and national service.

Referring to the recent guidance issued by the Prime Minister advising citizens to avoid travel, work from home, and reduce vehicle usage to combat fuel shortages, the editorial has pointed out the irony, noting that while the public is told to stay home as an act of “patriotism”, the Prime Minister is embarking on a tour of five countries. In a publicised display of austerity, PM Modi was recently seen travelling through Delhi with only two security vehicles. However, the editorial questioned, “why a massive 50-car convoy was necessary for the past 12 years if such a small security detail was sufficient”.

The editorial has highlighted a sharp reversal in political rhetoric. During the pandemic, then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray followed PM Modi’s “work from home advice to save lives. At that time, current leadership figures like Devendra Fadnavis criticised the stay-at-home approach. Now, they are being asked to adopt the same ‘Gharkombda’ (home-bound) role”.

“In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to the public not to mock the Prime Minister’s appeal. In a show of solidarity with the fuel-saving initiative, CM Fadnavis traded his usual motorcade for a Bullet motorcycle to travel to Vidhan Bhavan, with his security detail following on two-wheelers,” the editorial said. It has termed the CM’s motorcycle ride “theatrical”.

Despite these gestures, the editorial pointed out recent “extravagance”, such as the Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers taking separate chartered flights to attend swearing-in ceremonies in other states.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has further highlighted a staggering decline in the ONGC’s fortunes under the current administration. ”In 2014, the company held a massive cash reserve of Rs 13,000 crore. The company is now reportedly drowning in Rs 80,000 crore of debt. Domestic oil production, which accounted for 27 per cent of the world’s production in 2014, has allegedly dropped to 13 per cent,” it said.

The editorial argued that “fearful” foreign policy, including a refusal to buy cheaper Russian gas due to American pressure, is exacerbating the fuel crisis for the Indian public.

–IANS

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