Mumbai: Wagner Group’s mutiny attempt in Russia to topple the Vladimir Putin government shook up the world over the weekend.
Though Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the mercenary group, called off the march to Moscow after reportedly striking a deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the world is still discussing the biggest coup threat in Putin’s 24-year reign as either Prime Minister or President of Russia.
Now, Wagner Group has entered Indian politics.
An editorial in ‘Saamana’ — the mouthpiece of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena — drew a parallel between India’s Opposition and ruling BJP and the Wagner group’s temporary rebellion against Putin.
Saamana’s editorial described Wagner group as the “defender of democracy” while comparing it to India’s Opposition parties.
It was a strange comparison, as Wagner is a mercenary group made up of convicts recruited from Russian prisons.
According to Saamana, just as Wagner chief Prigozhin rebelled against Putin, leaders of India’s Opposition parties came together in Patna to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Modi-Shah have prepared a large number of mercenaries to drum up victory, to pressurise the voters,” the editorial read.
It pointed to a direct example which was currently visible in Russia.
“Like Putin, Modi-Shah are also trying to bring dictatorship, total authoritarianism.”
The editorial further stated that Modi had made a mockery of himself by speaking in “improper English” during the PM’s recent state visit to the USA.
“It was clearly visible that the ground slipped from under the feet of Prime Minister Modi due to the questions asked in the press conference on India’s democracy, Constitution, and attack on minorities,” the editorial said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut used the Wagner group comparison to describe prevailing situation in Maharashtra.
Referring to the alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Raut said CM Eknath Shinde and his ministers were akin to the “rented army” in Russia (Wagner group).
“They will also strike back on you (BJP) soon. They belong to no one,” Raut remarked said.
