Shiv Sena UBT leader Aadityan Thackeray.

NAGPUR: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday accused the Maharashtra government of being “afraid of the Opposition”, despite enjoying a clear majority in the Assembly. Speaking outside Vidhan Bhavan, he said that even after “so many elections and with the blessings of the Election Commission,” the ruling bloc remained insecure and evasive.Thackeray criticised the government for mishandling the process of appointing the Leader of the Opposition in the Council, alleging that “no one knows when or how the proposal was formed”. He added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis “appears uncomfortable” with the Opposition asserting its role inside the legislature.

Lashing out at Fadnavis for deleting his social media post on the IndiGo crisis, Thackeray said the Chief Minister was more focused on “diverting attention” than addressing the plight of passengers stranded due to massive flight disruptions. “Did he speak about the IndiGo crisis? Did he speak about the passengers? Or was the aim simply to ensure the Centre is not questioned?” he asked.Thackeray also took a swipe at the ruling BJP leaders for travelling by chartered aircraft amid the aviation chaos. “Yesterday, the Chief Minister travelled by charter flight. Today too, BJP leaders arrived by charter flights,” he said, asking why those in power were avoiding commercial flights at a time when thousands of passengers were suffering. He added, “One Deputy Chief Minister cannot even visit his own village without two helicopters,” and claimed senior leaders were flying with “large bags” during election season. “What goes to their villages in those bags?” he asked.He attributed the aviation mess to “monopolisation after 2014” and said the Centre needed to explain why the sector had weakened. “Before 2014, India had many airlines. After 2014, monopolies have grown. The rupee has fallen 9%—the worst in Asia. Farmers’ suicides are rising. But the government only wants to divert attention,” he said.On the Tapovan tree-cutting controversy, Thackeray rejected water Conservation Minister Girish Mahajan’s claim that Uddhav Thackeray had endorsed the proposal. He accused the BJP of systematically targeting green zones. “Whether it’s Aravalli, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tadoba corridor or the Western Ghats—wherever there is environment to protect, they know how to destroy it for highways and mining,” he said, alleging attempts to revive stalled mining projects.Referring to the ongoing tussle over the Council’s Opposition leadership, he said the ruling alliance was blocking appointments for political advantage. “We have raised every issue in the House, but they want conflict. Even Bhaskar Jadhav’s case shows how decisions are being manipulated,” he said.