Mumbai/IBNS: The Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance held a mega rally to protest “borderism” and the “insults of great men” under the Eknath Shinde-led government

The coalition, comprising Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) led by Uddhav Thackeray, Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, carried the 'Halla Bol’rally from Richardson and Kridas Company, Nagpada to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

“Since the arrival of the Shinde-Fadnavis government in Maharashtra, the issue of borderism has raised its head and the border villages are demanding to merge with neighbouring states,” said Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole.

"MVA’s rally is against the traitors of Maharashtra on the issue of insulting great men, borderism and our state,” he added.

Earlier, Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari’s remark that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of the past drew sharp criticism cutting across party lines. Several leaders said Koshyari insulted Maharashtra and its great personalities and the MVA demanded his immediate recall.

The MVA leaders said the other reasons for their protest include “atrocities” against Marathi speakers in border areas of Karnataka, industrial projects being taken out of the state, and "injustice” meted out to Maharashtra,

Patole said efforts have been made to keep Maharashtra united ever since Yashwantrao Chavan brought the ‘mangal kalash’ for the establishment of the state, but the ED and the government are trying to divide it and the MVA would never allow it to happen.

“The protest will showcase people's anger against the government of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction and BJP,” he was quoted as saying by the media.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar joined the MVA’s ‘Halla Bol’ Morcha today along with former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat.

Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, and Mumbai Congress President Bhai Jagtap among others were also present.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government was toppled in June this year by a coup led by Sena leader Eknath Shinde with the support of the BJP.