Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray urges electors to give him a shot at CM post
BackBack

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray urges electors to give him a shot at CM post

Uddhav says that the 'face' that will rule the state in the event the saffron alliance comes to power will be from Shiv Sena

Uddhav also said if voted to power, the saffron government would bring the ‘Karnataka occupied Maharashtra’ into the state. Photo: PTIPremium
Uddhav also said if voted to power, the saffron government would bring the ‘Karnataka occupied Maharashtra’ into the state. Photo: PTI

Mumbai: Openly expressing his desire to become the chief minister for the first time at a public platform, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday asked the electors to give him a chance and assured they would not regret the decision.

Thackeray, whose relation with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is under strain over seat-sharing for the assembly poll, also sought to assert the pre-eminence of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra politics vis-a-vis its ally, saying the “face" that will rule the state in the event of the saffron alliance coming to power will be from “Shiv Sena only".

“I want the people to give me a chance and they will not be given a chance to complain," he said during an interaction organized by a private news channel. The Shiv Sena president, in the same breath, said he was not dreaming of the chief minister’s post, but will not shy away from responsibility.

“I am not day dreamer but I won’t run away from responsibility, I am son of Shiv Sena chief the late Bal Thackeray and if I get responsibility then I will ensure Maharashtra becomes No.1 state of India. It is for the people to decide if they trust me. They will decide whom they want as the face (chief minister). I am not hankering after any post but will not shy away from responsibility either," he said.

Asked about the delay in formalizing a seat-sharing pact with BJP, the Sena leader said “there is no problem from my side". “Talks with BJP for seat sharing are on. The seats which we will not contest will go to BJP," he said, apparently asserting Shiv Sena’s status of “senior partner" in the saffron coalition in Maharashtra despite dwindling strength.

Meanwhile, a war of words has broken out between smaller parties of the Mahayuti, or grand alliance, and Shiv Sena after an editorial piece in Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Samana asked smaller parties such as the Republican Party of India (RPI-Ramdas Athavale faction), Rashtriya Samaj Party, Swabhimani Party and Shivsangram Party not to fight over seat sharing. “Let’s first get into the power, then we will decide, how to distribute it," it said.

Reacting sharply to the editorial Shivsangram’s president Vinayak Mete said, “It is responsibility of elder brother (Shiv Sena) to keep family united and happy, so instead of advising us through editorial, Shiv Sena should come forward and start negotiation on seat sharing at once."

In the 2009 assembly polls, Shiv Sena had contested 160 seats and won 44, while BJP bagged 46 despite putting up candidates in only 119 seats. The 2014 Lok Sabha election saw BJP win 23 seats against Shiv Sena’s 18. “Every party wants to expand its base and decisions should be taken on basis of ground realities. Ours is a 25-year-old alliance, but its good if people remain within their limits," he said.

In the Lok Sabha polls, Uddhav said, people voted for a “face" (Modi) for change and Shiv Sena’s contribution in the victory in Maharashtra cannot be ignored.

“Did the Modi wave show in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Orissa and West Bengal? It depends on alliance partners as well. Narendra Modi is Prime Minister of our alliance," he said.

To a question on issue of Vidarbha state, a cause being supported by BJP, he said people want development and there is no agitation going on for separate statehood there. Uddhav also said if voted to power, the saffron government would bring the “Karnataka occupied Maharashtra" into the state. “Maharashtra has never forced Marathi language on Kannadigas living here. We want the Marathi speaking areas in Karnataka to be declared a union territory till the Supreme Court gives its verdict," he said, referring to the territorial dispute between the two states.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 13 Sep 2014, 04:17 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App