NEW DELHI: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of "insulting" the Hindu community by not attending the Maha Kumbh. He urged Hindu voters to boycott them.
Athawale, a key Dalit leader from Maharashtra and a BJP ally, criticised Thackeray for speaking about Hindutva but not participating in the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
"Thackeray and the Gandhi family have insulted Hindutva by not participating in the Maha Kumbh. Being Hindu and not attending the Maha Kumbh is an insult to the Hindus, and Hindus must boycott them," he told PTI Videos.
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice emphasised that both leaders should have considered public sentiments and attended the religious gathering.
"They always want Hindu votes, despite that they skipped Maha Kumbh. I think Hindu voters must boycott them," he added.
Referring to the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November 2024, Athawale claimed that Hindu voters had already given these leaders a lesson in the polls.
The 45-day Maha Kumbh at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj concluded on Mahashivratri.
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