Mumbai, Feb 14 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (SS-UBT) on Saturday criticized the BJP's condemnation of Syed Iqbal's election as Mayor of Parbhani Municipal Corporation, labeling it as "intellectual bankruptcy".

The Thackeray faction staunchly defended Syed Iqbal's appointment, framing it as a reward for loyalty.

In a pointed editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, it remarked that amidst numerous pressing issues, the BJP and its "subservient circle" are making a fuss over what they term the installation of a 'Khan' in Parbhani. This behavior exemplifies the BJP's tendency to "mask its own shortcomings while criticizing others".

The editorial expressed strong disapproval of the "selective opposition" by the BJP, highlighting that the party has historically appointed Muslim leaders to prestigious positions, including the Presidency, governorships, and judgeships in the Supreme Court.

In the Parbhani district alone, the BJP has 12 Muslim councilors, and the Vice-President position in the Jintur Municipal Council was awarded to Mehmunnisa Pathan, a Muslim woman. Yet, they oppose the appointment of a devoted Marathi speaker like Syed Iqbal in Parbhani. The BJP must clarify why Muslim leaders were acknowledged during the RSS Centenary celebrations if they are now against such representation.

"The BJP should explain the presence of a 'Khan' on stage during the RSS Centenary celebrations. The public witnessed Adnan Sami, son of Arshad Khan, who was involved in the 1965 Pathankot bombing, being celebrated by RSS leadership. While RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat asserts that Hindus and Muslims share a common identity and those embracing Indian culture are part of us, the BJP's 'younger lot' continues to provoke religious discord," asserted the Thackeray camp.

The editorial further justified the appointment by acknowledging the significant contributions of Muslims to India's independence struggle. It referenced the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, noting that 76 Muslims were among the deceased, emphasizing that "none were shot in the back," signifying their steadfast dedication to the nation. The current ruling party (BJP), which didn't endure any hardship during the freedom movement, is now acting as self-styled 'contractors' of Hindutva and nationalism, the editorial contended.

"While Hindus (1% to 6%) find safety in nations like the US, UK, Australia, and Arab countries, the BJP claims that 85% of Hindus in India are under threat within their own domain. The true peril to Hindus stems from the BJP itself, as Hindutva has morphed into a political enterprise for them," alleged the Thackeray camp.

Parbhani MP Sanjay Jadhav countered the BJP's 'Aurangzeb' insinuation, pointing out that the BJP has previously allied with AIMIM in other municipal councils, such as Akot and Achalpur. He asserted that whenever there was a need to uphold Hindutva, Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sainiks took to the streets.

The Thackeray camp posited that if individuals from other regions or faiths contribute to maintaining the "Marathi flag" in Maharashtra, they should be embraced. "However, the BJP's strategy is to recruit 'Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan, and Jaychand' into their own fold for personal gain while criticizing others," it commented.

The Thackeray camp's defense of Syed Iqbal's election signifies a notable change in Parbhani's "Khan vs. Ban" political narrative—a long-standing tactic of voter polarization, now replaced by a reward for loyalty and "geographic politics" wherein nearly half of the house corporators hail from the Muslim community.