Uddhav Thackeray urged Sharad Pawar & Prithviraj Chavan to announce chief ministerial candidate and he will support it

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray delivered a powerful address at the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting in Mumbai, emphasizing the need for unity in the upcoming assembly elections. Thackeray urged the MVA to decide on its chief ministerial candidate before the elections, asserting his willingness to support any leader chosen for the post. His appeal was directed towards Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and NCP president Sharad Pawar.

Thackeray’s Caution Against BJP Alliance Experience

Reflecting on his previous alliance with the BJP, Thackeray cautioned against repeating past mistakes. He recounted the alliance’s practice of determining the chief minister based on seat count, which led to internal competition and undermined the alliance’s strength. Thackeray lamented the loss of importance in political alliances due to such strategies.

Election Postponement Consideration

Thackeray also highlighted the state government’s allocation of ₹10,000 per month to planners for promoting state schemes, criticizing it as a misuse of public funds. He mentioned the possibility of postponing the assembly elections by one month, urging a discussion on the government’s performance over the past two and a half years. Thackeray expressed concern over alleged corruption and the state’s financial management, specifically targeting the distribution of ₹50 crore to the government and ₹1,500 to a favored individual.

Call for Chief Ministerial Decision

Thackeray reiterated the importance of deciding the chief ministerial candidate before implementing the policy of awarding the position based on seat count. He expressed his readiness to accept any decision made by the MVA. Thackeray, who played the role of host at the meeting, likened himself to an opening batsman, ready to set the tone for the political battle ahead.

Opposition to Waqf Board Amendment Bill

Thackeray also criticized the Modi government’s Waqf Board Amendment Bill, suggesting it was introduced to create division. He questioned why the bill was not passed earlier when the BJP held a majority and warned against handing over land belonging to Hindu institutions to industrialists under the bill. Thackeray vowed to oppose any such moves.

Support for Maratha Reservation Bill

In his speech, Thackeray called for the immediate announcement of elections and pledged support for the Maratha Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. He accused the government of creating an OBC-Maratha controversy in the state and expressed concerns about Mumbai being targeted as a “gold mine” by the Modi-Shah duo.

Unity Over Seat Allocation

Thackeray concluded by urging the MVA to avoid internal conflicts over seat allocation, emphasizing the need for unity in action. He called for Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena to work together, leveraging their strengths to reach every village. Thackeray also expressed hope that the Congress and NCP would announce their chief ministerial candidate soon, while avoiding disputes over seat distribution.