In the lead-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has called on the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to announce their Chief Ministerial candidate.
Speaking during the Vajra Nirdhar Parishad event organised by the Shiv Sena, Thackeray emphasised the need for unity among the alliance partners to secure victory in Maharashtra. He expressed his willingness to support the candidate once announced, stating that the interests of Maharashtra should take precedence.
As Congress faces potential defeat in Haryana, Thackeray took the opportunity to rally support for a collaborative approach. He stated, “I say that Congress or NCP should declare the face of the Chief Minister, and I will support them right now. Because Maharashtra is important for us.” This sentiment reflects his commitment to prioritising the state’s needs over party politics.
Thackeray did not hold back in his criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He accused the ruling party of trying to alter the Constitution and inciting divisions among various communities across the country.
He remarked, “The government sitting in Delhi was going to change the constitution, but they could not do so. The results in Haryana and Kashmir today show that the people of every state are capable of making their own decisions.” His remarks were directed at what he perceives as divisive tactics employed by the BJP, branding the party as “two thugs sitting in Delhi.”
The Shiv Sena chief also questioned the effectiveness of the Maharashtra government's newly launched schemes, including ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin.’ He criticised the government for its priorities, claiming they are focusing on advertising and large budgets for certain initiatives while neglecting the needs of the common people.
He quipped, “Now they are announcing schemes one after the other, doing advertisements, fifty crores for traitors and fifteen hundred for sisters.” This comment underscores his belief that the government is out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Moreover, Thackeray took aim at the BJP’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,’ asserting that it has been distorted into ‘Sabka Sath, Dost ka Vikas.’ He accused the ruling party of using these slogans as mere election rhetoric rather than as genuine commitments to public welfare.
Thackeray pointed out that the electorate is aware of the government’s disingenuousness and cautioned against their deceptive practices. “Whenever I roam around, I see all this. The public is watching,” he asserted.
In light of the recent Lok Sabha election results, Thackeray expressed pride in Maharashtra's performance, noting that the state has successfully countered the BJP's influence.
“We are proud that Maharashtra has brought them to their knees in the Lok Sabha,” he declared, reinforcing his position that the state holds significant power in shaping national politics.
Despite distancing himself from the BJP, Thackeray reaffirmed his party’s commitment to Hindutva. He stated that leaving the BJP does not equate to abandoning the principles of Hindutva.
“My grandfather fought against the wrong Hindutvaists of that time. Babasaheb also said this. I left BJP, but that does not mean that we have left Hindutva,” he emphasised, aiming to clarify the party's ideological stance.
Thackeray concluded his address with a rallying cry for public support, urging citizens to reject the Mahayuti alliance. “They are out to loot Maharashtra. We need your support to stop them,” he stated, appealing to the electorate to remain vigilant and engaged in the upcoming elections.
As the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly prepares for elections later this year, the political landscape is shaping up for a crucial contest. The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the official polling dates, but the competition is expected to be fierce.
The upcoming elections will see a face-off between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, against the MahaYuti Alliance, composed of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). This dynamic sets the stage for a high-stakes battle for power in one of India’s most politically significant states.
Follow us
