Friends turn foes: 'If a Chaiwala Can Become PM, Why Can't I be Chief Minister?': Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, Oct 15: In probably the sharpest criticism of

's

,

's Thackeray said: "If a "chaiwala (tea-seller) can become prime minister, why can't I become Maharashtra Chief Minister?"

While the "Chaiwala" comment is a regular among Congress and other staunch opposition of the BJP, Uddhav's remark came as a fall-out of the break-up of his party with BJP after 26 years.

Thackeray, in an interview with Saamna, his party's mouthpiece said,""If a 'chaiwala' can become the prime minister, I can definitely become the state chief minister."

The statement is in lieu with his comments a few weeks earlier where Mr Thackeray declared his chief ministrial ambitions.

The alliance had swept the Lok Sabha elections this year, but failed to come to a decision over seat-sharing in the Assembly polls now. "For 25 years, we have been together, we have seen victories and routs. When the alliance collapsed, I felt deeply pained, but I did not succumb," said Thackeray.

Meanwhile, BJP said that it is aware of Thackeray's secret ambition and has therefore crafted its poll pitch around Modi's call for development.

OneIndia News