Uddhav Thackeray says he will support any CM face declared by Congress, NCP (SP) to ‘save’ Maharashtra

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (October 8, 2024) expressed his willingness to support any Chief Ministerial candidate announced by allies the Congress or the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) to “save” Maharashtra.

While addressing an event, the former Chief Minister also accused the Maharashtra government of creating fake narratives in the State through advertisements, ahead of the Assembly polls which are likely to be held next month.

Critcising the Mahayuti government’s flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which ₹1,500 is given to eligible women in the State, Mr. Thackeray alleged that the government was attempting to make people betray “Maharashtra dharma” by returning their own money through such schemes.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly are likely to take place next month.

Also read | MVA vows to fight polls in Maharashtra as one force

“My party will support any Chief Minister candidate declared by the Congress or the NCP (SP) to save Maharashtra,” he said.

In August, Mr. Thackeray had stressed on the need to decide the MVA’s Chief Ministerial candidate first, rather than basing it on which party wins the most seats and reiterated his readiness to back any candidate announced by the Congress or the NCP (SP).

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut had then remarked that Mr. Thackeray displayed generosity by extending support to whoever the MVA deemed suitable for the Chief Minister post.

“It was not pressure politics. This stand benefits Maharashtra,” Mr. Raut had said.