BJP’s Ashish Shelar ridicules Thackeray cousins’ anti‑CEC rally as ‘World Animal Day’ and ‘march of foxes’

Ashish Shelar, a senior BJP leader in Maharashtra, publicly ridiculed a rally organised by the Thackeray cousins that was aimed at protesting the Chief Election Commissioner’s actions. In his remarks he described the gathering as “World Animal Day” and called the participants a “march of foxes”, suggesting the protest was driven by opportunistic motives. Shelar made the comments in a statement released to the media, underscoring the sharp political rivalry between the BJP and the Shiv Sena‑aligned Thackeray family over election‑related concerns. The Thackeray cousins have repeatedly criticised the CEC, alleging bias, while the BJP has defended the commission’s independence. Shelar’s jibe adds another layer to the heated discourse as the nation approaches a crucial electoral season.