‘Peas of falsehood won’t cook’: Shiv Sena UBT targets BJP over youth rallies, school meals

August 24, 2026

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Monday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging financial irregularities in youth outreach events and corruption in the state’s school midday meal scheme.

An editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ targeted Chief Minister Fadnavis over the quality of food served to schoolchildren and questioned the funding of BJP rallies aimed at attracting young voters.

‘Peas of falsehood’ won’t cook

The editorial focused on the school nutrition programme in Ambegaon in Pune district, where children were reportedly served hard, dried peas that allegedly remained uncooked even after 13 whistles in a pressure cooker.

The Thackeray-led Shiv Sena alleged that the supply contractor, identified as a businessman from Nagpur, has close ties with Chief Minister Fadnavis.

The editorial further claimed that the businessman provided financial backing for the BJP’s recent Gen Z youth outreach event at Reshm Bagh Ground in Nagpur.

“Supply contractors eat up millions by serving substandard food to school children, risking their lives… Moving forward, his peas of falsehood will certainly not cook,” the editorial said.

BJP youth outreach under attack

The editorial came amid intensified political efforts to attract young voters across Maharashtra.

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi recently hosted the “Chatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune, which drew thousands of students.

The Thackeray camp alleged that local authorities initially resisted granting police clearance for the event before allowing it with 30 to 35 strict conditions. It also claimed that attempts were made to disrupt the event and that police subsequently registered cases against Congress workers.

The editorial said that young people were increasingly dissatisfied with the BJP and criticised the repeated political messaging of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Fadnavis.

Fadnavis asked to audit BJP event funding

The Thackeray camp also responded to Fadnavis’ allegation that Rahul Gandhi’s interactive sessions were “paid publicity events” and could face a state investigation.

It demanded that the BJP first audit the expenditure on its own events and examine the sources of funding provided by contractors.

The editorial also accused the state government of failing to address road and pothole-related issues. It claimed that 12 people had died after falling into potholes in Nashik, including seven from Gen Z.

It further alleged large-scale irregularities in the procurement and supply of midday meals in government schools.

Youth unemployment and corruption raised

The editorial accused the Maharashtra administration of ignoring graduate unemployment and pushing educated young people towards low-paying jobs while failing to address alleged corruption in public contracts.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena said growing dissatisfaction among young people reflected anger over repeated political promises and urged Chief Minister Fadnavis to introspect before ordering selective investigations.