Deepak Kesarkar, a Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader, alleged that ‘fatwas’ played a significant role in the victory of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that Muslim voters were convinced that former CM Uddhav Thackeray had abandoned Hindutva ideologies, leading them to support Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates. Kesarkar also accused Pakistan of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the NDA government’s efforts, and he criticized the opposition for misleading Dalit communities about the Citizenship Amendment Act. Despite securing seven parliamentary seats in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena (UBT) remained in opposition as the BJP-led NDA fell short of its goal, winning only 17 seats. The Mahayuti coalition, which included the BJP and Shiv Sena, managed to win just one seat in the Marathwada region, a stronghold of the Maratha agitation.
