The Sena has hinted the BJP could be behind the campaign.

In an indication that the technology war would be at its peak in the run up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, messages ridiculing Shiv Sena’s ‘Karun Dakhavle’ (we did it!) campaign have started doing rounds on social media.

Sent in the name of ‘Taxpayer Mumbai,’ these messages take potshots at the Sena’s trademark campaign during the last civic polls. With Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s caricature showing him in an agitated mood in the background, the messages contain pictures of dingy multi-storey slums, accusing him of protecting them.

Instead of “Karun Dakhavle” one of the message says, “Kala Itihas Rachoon Dakhavla” (We created black history). “We drowned Mumbai several times,” “Saved illegal Bangladeshi slums,” said the messages.

Another message asks tax-paying Mumbaikars to check the virtues of the ruling party in the BMC. “We protected slum mafias years after years,” “We gave protection to illegal slums,” said the message.

With the BMC polls approaching fast, the allegations and counter allegations have started flying thick and fast. Earlier too, messages had started being circulated on social media by the name of one ‘BJP Karyakarta’ (activist) targeting the Shiv Sena. Calling its long-time alliance partner a “Tender Sena,” the messages said the party is trying to protect the “mafia-clad Ravan” in the BMC. “Upset with the possibility of losing power in the BMC, the Tender Sena have started making a hue and cry,” it said. It has also alleged that top Sena leaders like Sunil Prabhu, Rahul Shewale, Ravindra Waikar, Shailesh Phanase have a partnership with builders.

Slamming the messages, Shiv Sena’s Anil Parab said, “The campaign against Shiv Sena on social media is a deliberate attempt. The opposition could not win the BMC for 20 years and are hence targeting the Sena like this. But we have worked for the people and always presented our work to them. This is a conspiracy of all opposition parties to malign the image of Shiv Sena and also of a party which feels to win the BMC single-handedly,” said Mr Parab, hinting at BJP’s role behind the messages.