Thane: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on chief minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena and his government allies in Mumbra on Saturday. He challenged his former allies to confront him without police protection. He said he would crush Shinde and his allies arrogance in the next election. The situation in and around the city remained tense during Thackerays visit.The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief arrived amid tight police cover, as the previous night unidentified people had torn down banners put up by both the Shinde and Thackeray factions.Speaking from a makeshift stage, Thackeray also condemned the demolition of a two-decade-old shakha by a few supporters of Shinde who had claimed ownership of the office some days ago. They tore some of our posters the previous night but we will ensure their arrogance of power will similarly get torn very soon … . They have stirred a hornets nest and are unaware of the consequence … . They have demolished our legal shakha and the administration is mum. We are determined to reconstruct the facility and start using it after the festive season, he said.Accompanied by party colleagues and MLA Jitendra Awhad of the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, Thackeray visited the area where the demolished shakha once stood and shot barbs at Shinde and the others who rebelled against him in the undivided Shiv Sena last year.Even though they do not have the ability, they were used as a puppet and elevated to the top post by their New Delhi masters. I appeal to everyone to retaliate and ensure the traitors lose their deposits in the next elections, Thackeray said.In the afternoon, there was talk of barring Thackeray and his supporters from entering the city, a stronghold of Shinde, and holding any public meeting. The situation was eased after police commissioner Jaijeet Singh intervened, said Awhad. Critical points on Thackerays route to Mumbra and the shakha saw a strong police presence.The Shankar Nagar shakha, constructed around two decades ago, was demolished by some Shinde supporters last week. The supporters of Shinde had claimed that the facility was being misused by Shiv Sena (UBT) activists. The Shiv Sena is trying to get a foothold in Mumbra, which is an assembly constituency represented by Awhad. A Shiv Sena spokesperson hit back at Thackeray for associating the party with Awhad, who he alleged was responsible for razing several shakhas in the lake city.

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