Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies would contest all the elections, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition government has been completing one year on Saturday. On this occasion, Thackeray (60) interacted with select media in his official residence ‘South’ of South Mumbai.
Thackeray said all elections, including the MVA BMC election (in 2022), will be held simultaneously. There is no need to respond to the ulation hypothesis that coalition partners compete separately, he said. He stressed that their government is stable and the alliance partners are considered ideologically diverse, but that the interests of the state and the welfare of the people unite the three parties.
Thackeray said, in the past we were in an ideological alliance but the foundation of that doctrine (on faith) was betrayed. The Shiv Sena and the BJP’s alliance was in government in 1995–1999 and 2014–19. Thackeray defended his party’s alliance with political rivals Congress and NCP to form the government and said that Shiv Sena’s alliance with the BJP was narrow.
Thackeray cited BJP’s son Aditya and his wife Rashmi in the land deal in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying, “Now you realize what happened when we allied with the BJP.” Distorted thinking is now exposed.
Thackeray said last year’s unforgettable opportunity was the betrayal of a 25 to 30 year old friend. Shiv Sena has criticized the BJP in policy matters and said it has not targeted family members. On Hindutva, Thackeray said, “My definition of Hindutva has not changed. It is sophisticated and not as corrupt as the BJP. Culture is very important in Hindutva.
Thackeray, referring to the BJP’s claim on land deals, said, “When we are with you (BJP) we are good.” There were land deals when you were in government. The BJP leaders who targeted them were all outsiders and said they did not belong to the ‘original’ BJP. “Is the BJP now run by outsiders,” he said. Asked about his national ambitions, Thackeray said the three-party coalition of Maharashtra had delivered a national message against the BJP.
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