Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray asked Congressman Prithviraj Chavan and NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar to declare the chief ministerial candidate and promised to offer his support.
Thackeray said this during the first joint rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) held here, following his three-day journey to Delhi, where he met leaders of the Congress and other INDIA bloc parties.
With this declaration, he has silenced his critics. On the other hand, the ruling MahaYuti alliance had alleged that Uddhav had betrayed the fundamental principles of the Shiv Sena and was bowing before “trivial people” in order to secure the chief ministerial position.
He emphasised the unity within the MVA, assuring that there was no disagreement (among them) about the CM’s appointment. This declaration was a strong reassurance to the MVA allies and supporters, instilling a sense of confidence and unity. He added that toppling the MahaYuti regime was the only goal, a goal they were all united in pursuing.
Thackeray presented a compelling case for the rank and file of the Maha Vikas Aghadi and its partners to further fortify their unity and back their nominees. He stressed the importance of unity to overthrow the MahaYuti government, which is made up of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. In a sincere attempt to demonstrate unity ahead of the Assembly poll, Thackeray called on MVA allies and cadres to set aside their differences over seats, as they would collectively defeat the MahaYuti administration. Evidently, with this call for unity, he wanted to convey a unifying message to make the audience feel united and cohesive.
“The MahaYuti government has woken up now and is printing pictures of themselves everywhere. However, we have to gear up to fight the Assembly elections. The MahaYuti leaders are asking who is the MVA’s Chief Ministerial face. Is Uddhav Thackeray the face of Chief Ministership, or who else? I want to say now that as Sharad Pawar and Prithviraj Chavan are sitting here if any of you have a face for the CM’s post, announce it, and I will support it,’’ said Thackeray.
The former chief minister threw the gauntlet to the MahaYuti, stating he thought the Election Commission should declare the Maharashtra Assembly elections for today.
“We are ready. However, this battle is not as easy as it should be. In the Lok Sabha elections, we defeated the political rival. The Lok Sabha election was a battle to protect the Constitution. Now, this battle is to preserve Maharashtra’s self-respect. How should this fight be –either you stay or I stay. Do not fight within the MVA. Let us tell those who have come to loot Maharashtra that either you will stay or I will stay,’’ he said.
Thackeray slammed the Modi government for bringing the Waqf Board Amendment Bill now. “Why did you bring it? If you had the guts, why didn’t you approve it when there was a majority? He asked.
Replying to criticism by MahaYuti for the absence of party MPs in the Lok Sabha when the bill was tabled, Thackeray said they were with him during his Delhi visit. “Had they been in the Lok Sabha, they would have put up the party’s argument. The land of the temples is usurped. Be it Waqf or places of any religion, we will not allow madness. We will not allow it to happen at all; we will not allow the land to be stolen,’’ he said.
“The Muslim community voted for us in abundance because of the work the MVA did during the coronavirus pandemic. We were with Muslims during the NRC and CCA agitation when I, as the Chief Minister, declared that we would do everything to protect their interest. PM Modi brought the Waqf Board Reform Bill to fuel the fire. Why was this bill not approved when there was a majority?’’ he asked.
“Who was given the land in Ayodhya? Inquire to which trust it was given. Gold was stolen from Kedarnath. Investigate that too,’’ he said. Be it the Waqf Board or the lands of the Hindu institutions, Thackeray warned that he would not allow these lands to be given to favourite industrialists through the Waqf Board Amendment Bill.
Thackeray responded to the ongoing protests in Maharashtra regarding the Maratha, OBC, and Dhangar reservations by saying that the states have no authority to increase the reservation ceiling because it already rests with the central government.
“Increase the quota limit (50 percent) by consulting the Supreme Court. Bring a bill to increase the reservation limit. Give the reservation to Marathas and give it to Dhangars. Keep the OBC quota the same. Bring the bill. We support. Instead, the BJP is dividing the communities,’’ he added.
–IANS
