'Non-Violent Wagner Group' Will Dislodge Modi Govt, says Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena Faction

Mumbai, June 26: The Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Monday once again trained its gun on the ruling BJP-led government at the Centre, saying it will be dislodged by the Opposition parties, equating them with the infamous ‘Wagner group’ that led an unsuccessful coup against the Russian Government last week.

The comparison, even if bizarre at best, sought to hammer home the point that the opposition parties that met in Patna on June 23, were capable enough to take on the Modi government. The Saamana, managed by the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, has alleged the Narendra Modi government of running a dictatorial government, undermining institutional autonomy and using enforcement agencies to serve its political interests. 

“Be it PM Modi or Putin, they have to face rebellion. The government in India will be dislodged by a non-violent Wagner and that route will be through the ballot box,” the editorial said.

“The Wagner group came together in Patna as a protector of democracy,” the Marathi daily said, referring to the conclave of the opposition parties in Bihar's capital last week.

The editorial also feared tampering with EVM machines during the elections, warning that it will lead to a Manipur-like situation. 

Sixteen Opposition parties had met in Patna to forge unity against the BJP government. The parties have decided to meet once again in Shimla in July to arrive at a common agenda to contest the elections as one unit in the Lok Sabha polls.