India, June 20 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday accused the BJP of attempting to derail a potential alliance between his party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. The remarks drew a sharp response from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who hit back by accusing Uddhav of "abandoning" Hindutva.

Uddhav was speaking at his party's 59th foundation day rally in Mumbai and used one of his frequent barbs, referring to the Shinde-led faction as "gaddars" (traitors) for breaking away from him three years ago and aligning with the BJP.

Both Uddhav and Shinde held separate rallies to mark the Shiv Sena's foundation day, which was established by Uddhav's father Bal Thackeray in...