Eknath Shinde claims Uddhav Thackeray wanted to be CM since 2004

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that Uddhav Thackeray nurtured the ambition to become the CM since 2004 but things didn't work out.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday claimed that Uddhav Thackeray nurtured the ambition to become the CM since 2004 but things didn't work out. Addressing the annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena led by him at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Shinde also disclosed that two persons were sent to NCP chief Sharad Pawar to recommend Thackeray's name for the post of chief minister.

'It Was His Uddhav's Wish to Become the CM Since 2004'

"It was his Uddhav's wish to become the CM since 2004 but the jugaad didn't work out. He pretended that he was never interested in the post. It was said publicly that he accepted the responsibility after the 2019 assembly elections on the advice of Sharad Pawar. But the fact is that two persons were sent to Pawar to recommend his Uddhav's name for the post," Shinde said.

'After the Elections, He Jumped in the Chair of the Chief Minister'

After the elections, he jumped in the chair of the chief minister, added Shinde, who was a cabinet minister in the erstwhile MVA government led by Thackeray. "They Uddhav wear many masks and do things subtly with a straight face. He became an opportunity for the CM's post," charged Shinde.

MVA Government Collapsed in June Last Year

The MVA government led by Thackeray collapsed in June last year following a rebellion by Shinde and several MLAs. Shinde later took oath as the chief minister with the support of the BJP.

Shinde's claims come at a time when the Shiv Sena is facing a bitter power struggle between the two factions led by him and Thackeray. The Dussehra rally was seen as a show of strength by the Shinde faction, which is trying to establish itself as the legitimate Shiv Sena.