Mumbai, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena(UBT) asserted on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accolades for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his Independence Day address were aimed at securing his position as the longest-serving Prime Minister, even after reaching the age of 75.

According to the editorial in the party's mouthpiece, 'Saamana', "The RSS has no ties to the freedom struggle, Independence Day, or the Red Fort. Nonetheless, PM Modi lauded the RSS extensively in his speech from the Red Fort, driven by the anxiety that he might not remain in the PM's office in the future."

The editorial took a jab at PM Modi, noting that he spoke for over two and a half hours, likely aided by a teleprompter. "It is questionable whether the public has ever been subjected to such a lengthy and tedious speech on news channels. In a way, it felt like a farewell address. There appeared to be an effort to win over the RSS,” they stated.

"There was no justification for PM Modi to commend the RSS during his crucial Independence Day speech. He proudly referred to the RSS as the world's largest 'NGO'. But why has this NGO not yet facilitated the election of the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party? Additionally, for whom has this 'NGO' suggested that a person in power step down at the age of 75 and engage in social work?" questioned the Thackeray camp in their editorial.

Furthermore, they claimed that, according to circulating information, this NGO hinted that "PM Modi would retire from the Prime Minister's position upon turning 75, which is why he leveraged the Independence Day celebrations to garner the RSS's support."

The Thackeray camp pointed out that this was PM Modi's 12th address from the Red Fort, but he must have been uncertain about delivering a 13th, suggesting that his anxiety and fear were palpable.

"While PM Modi asserted that the RSS has significantly contributed to individual growth and nation-building, the actual history of the freedom struggle reveals a different narrative. His party, the BJP, and the RSS were not visible during the freedom movement or in later nation-building efforts. Countless ordinary citizens and Congress activists sacrificed their lives as martyrs in the freedom struggle, many of whom were aligned with socialist and Leftist ideologies. By attributing nation-building credit to RSS volunteers, PM Modi disrespected the true martyrs and revolutionaries from the Red Fort. Even RSS leaders might not have appreciated this," the editorial stated.

It concluded that while the RSS has been in existence for a hundred years, the Congress party has a legacy of 150 years within the freedom movement. “PM Modi is reciting and reflecting on the 'Sangh Chalisa' from the Red Fort, as his premiership hinges on the favor of Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat. He has strived from the Red Fort to gain the goodwill of the RSS and Bhagwat,” the editorial added.