Sanjay Raut’s Big Message To Congress, NCP-SP As He Backs Uddhav Thackeray To Be MVA’s CM Face — WATCH

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut challenged the ruling Mahayuti, which includes the Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde, BJP, and the NCP under Ajit Pawar, to reveal their chief ministerial candidate.

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has shown big-heartedness by offering to support any leader from the Congress or NCP (SP) for the position of chief minister, according to party MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday. Raut denied the allegation of political pressure behind Thackeray’s call for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies to announce their chief ministerial candidate ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.

As per news agency PTI, he emphasised that Thackeray, as a former chief minister, has broad acceptance and that his approach is quite helpful for Maharashtra.

"Uddhav Thackeray does not need to come forward, he did not come forward even in 2019, everyone together made him CM. Now talking about 2024, Uddhav Thackeray never said that I would become CM, listen to yesterday's speech," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

In a message to MVA allies, Raut emphasised Uddhav as the popular choice for Maharashtra voters remarking, "If Congress NCP has any face then bring it forward, Uddhav Thackeray is ready to support that face, but Uddhav Thackeray is in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra."

Speaking to reporters, Raut also challenged the ruling Mahayuti, which includes the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP, and the NCP under Ajit Pawar, to reveal their chief ministerial candidate.

"Uddhav Thackeray showed largeness of heart (by extending support to anyone the MVA dims fit for the CM's post). It was not pressure politics. This stand benefits Maharashtra," the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said, as quoted by PTI.

Uddhav Thackeray Urges MVA To Decide On Its CM Candidate

During a Maha Vikas Aghadi meeting on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray urged the opposition alliance to decide on its chief ministerial candidate before focusing on which party wins the most seats. He assured his support for any candidate who will be chosen by the Congress and NCP (SP).

"First, decide (the CM's face) and then go ahead but do not go by this policy (those having the most seats will get the CM's post). Uddhav Thackeray will back any candidate announced by Congress and NCP (SP) as the CM face of MVA. I don't feel that I am fighting for myself but it is for the rights of Maharashtra," Thackeray said.

Despite Thackeray's request, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar remained silent on the matter, while Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole indicated that the decision on the CM post would be made by I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders. "What is wrong with Uddhav Thackeray's demand? Thackeray is a former chief minister. His face is acceptable to everyone. He didn't speak about himself. If anyone has the courage, they should declare its CM face," PTI quoted Raut as saying. 

The Maharashtra assembly elections, for its 288 seats, are likely to take place in October or November. Thackeray expressed his experience with the former ally BJP regarding the 'maximum seats-CM candidate' logic.