Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed on Sunday that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray sidelined Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, despite Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s wish for Raj to stay in the party. CM Shinde praised Raj Thackeray, noting his willingness to strengthen Shiv Sena even after being removed.
Shinde recounted a time when Uddhav Thackeray, instead of giving Raj responsibilities, chose to remove him. He stated, “Raj Thackeray used to work closely with Balasaheb and attend all meetings. But when it was time to give him responsibility, Uddhav ji’s intentions became clear.”
Shinde emphasized that Raj Thackeray was always willing to take on responsibilities within Shiv Sena, but was sidelined by Uddhav. “Even after being removed, Raj Thackeray offered to take charge of a weakened Shiv Sena, but was not allowed to,” he said, adding that Balasaheb Thackeray never wanted Raj to leave.
When asked why Raj Thackeray is not part of the current coalition, CM Shinde said, “He is with us. He appeared on our stage in the previous Lok Sabha elections. Though we are not fighting together, he is not against us either. There is still time, and Raj Thackeray deserved recognition for his work back then.”
Regarding the upcoming Maharashtra Chief Minister position, Shinde stated that the focus is on forming the Mahayuti government. “Our team is working on it. Deciding the Chief Minister is not our current focus,” he said.
Raj Thackeray has announced ‘unconditional’ support for the Bharatiya Janata Party- Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party alliance in the Lok Sabha elections. The 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for later this year, with the term ending in November.
The Mahavikas Aghadi, comprising Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress, collapsed after Eknath Shinde’s revolt and subsequent alliance with the BJP, forming the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction)-BJP government. Ajit Pawar’s revolt within the NCP further strengthened the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state.