Uddhav Thackeray Cannot Believe Maharashtra Would “behave this way” With Him; Questions Assembly Poll Results
Uddhav Thackeray Cannot Believe Maharashtra Would “behave this way” With Him; Questions Assembly Poll Results
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief reflects on unexpected losses in Maharashtra elections and vows to fight for the state’s rights.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray expressed disbelief over the Maharashtra assembly poll results, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance delivered a landslide victory. Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Thackeray called the outcome “unexpected and incomprehensible,” casting doubt on the authenticity of the results.
Referring to himself as kutumb pramukh (head of the family) during the COVID-19 crisis, Thackeray said he could not believe Maharashtra would “behave this way” toward him. He described the election results as a “tsunami” rather than a wave, asserting that public anger against the government over issues like unemployment and agrarian distress had been palpable. Highlighting the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) poor performance, he stated,
“I promise to the people of Maharashtra that we will keep fighting for the rights of the state.”
MVA’s Poor Performance
The MVA, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) faced a severe setback. Sena (UBT) won or led in only 20 of the 95 seats it contested. Congress was leading in 16 constituencies out of 101 contested. NCP (SP) secured only 10 of 86 seats.
In stark contrast, the BJP-led Mahayuti, including the faction led by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, claimed over 230 seats of the 288-member assembly. The BJP was winning or leading in 133 seats. Shinde’s Shiv Sena claimed 57 seats. Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction secured 41 seats.
Thackeray criticized CM Eknath Shinde, accusing him of “stealing” the Shiv Sena name and legacy after the 2022 split. He mocked Shinde’s position within the alliance, suggesting that he might have to operate under BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. The results marked a significant boost for Shinde, whose faction outperformed the Sena (UBT) despite ongoing allegations from Thackeray’s camp.
The former CM also questioned the drastic shift in voter sentiment compared to the Lok Sabha polls held just months earlier, where the MVA secured 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 seats.
“How can the situation change so drastically in four months?” he asked.
Thackeray pledged to continue fighting for the rights and welfare of Maharashtra, even as his alliance works to recover from this major electoral blow.
While the BJP-led Mahayuti celebrates its emphatic victory, Thackeray’s remarks highlight growing tensions within Maharashtra’s political landscape. With the results further consolidating BJP and Shinde’s leadership in the state, the MVA faces significant challenges in rebuilding its strategy for future elections.
