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During the annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde disclosed Uddhav Thackeray’s desire to become the Chief Minister since 2004. Shinde revealed that Thackeray had harbored this ambition for years, even though he publicly portrayed indifference to the position. Shinde further shared that two individuals were sent to NCP chief Sharad Pawar to endorse Thackeray’s candidacy for the Chief Minister’s post.
“It was his (Uddhav’s) wish to become the CM since 2004, but the ‘jugaad’ didn’t work out. He pretended that he was never interested in the post. It was publicly stated that he accepted the responsibility (after the 2019 assembly elections) on Sharad Pawar’s advice. However, the reality is that two individuals were sent to Pawar to recommend his (Uddhav’s) name for the post,” stated Mr. Shinde.
Shinde, who was a cabinet minister in the previous MVA government led by Thackeray, accused Uddhav of wearing multiple masks and subtly maneuvering his way into the CM’s chair. According to Shinde, Thackeray seized the opportunity for the Chief Minister’s position after the 2019 elections.
The MVA government under Thackeray’s leadership faced a rebellion led by Shinde and several MLAs, leading to its collapse in June last year. Following this, Eknath Shinde assumed the role of Chief Minister with the support of the BJP.
