Uddhav Thackeray Calls for Early Decision on CM Face Before Maharashtra Polls

Mumbai, Aug 20: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has stirred the political waters with his latest call for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance to finalize the chief ministerial candidate ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. Speaking at a rally in Mumbai, Thackeray urged Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, to determine the candidate in advance, marking a significant departure from the INDIA bloc’s usual strategy of delaying such announcements.

“Let’s decide the chief ministerial face first and fight the upcoming assembly elections. I will support the name that Congress and Sharad Pawar decide on,” Thackeray stated, signaling a shift toward a more united front in the face of electoral challenges. Historically, the MVA and INDIA bloc have avoided naming leaders for top posts before elections, preferring to assess the situation and local dynamics before making decisions.

Thackeray also took the opportunity to criticize the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government for what he described as wasteful spending. He pointed out that while the government offers a modest Rs 1,500 per month in financial aid to women, it is simultaneously allocating Rs 10,000 per month for 50,000 delegates to conduct door-to-door publicity for the administration. “They are using people’s money for their personal campaigning. We will not let this happen,” he declared, rallying his supporters to counter the narrative with door-to-door campaigns highlighting the MVA government’s achievements during its tenure, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.

Addressing the ongoing controversy over Waqf Board lands, Thackeray warned against any attempts by the current administration to hand over such lands, or temple lands, to private entities. He also reiterated his party’s commitment to the Maratha reservation cause, urging the Central government to pass legislation increasing the reservation quota, a move he emphasized is beyond the state government’s purview.

The rally also saw participation from prominent MVA leaders, including NCP’s Sharad Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, and state Congress chief Nana Patole, further underscoring the alliance’s unity ahead of the elections.