I won't run away if elected CM: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, Sept 13: Shiv Sena chief

on Saturday put ally BJP in a spot by remarking that

would become the No. 1 state if he was made the chief minister.

Maharashtra is going to the assembly polls along with Haryana on October 15 and the Mahayuti or grand alliance featuring saffron allies BJP and Sena is looking favourite to sweep the election. The last time the Sena-BJP alliance was in power in the state was in 1999.

Thackeray, who was speaking at a conclave of media channel Aaj Tak here, said he didn't dream to become the CM but in case he became one, he would not run away from his responsibility. "I am Balasaheb's son," he said. Political observers feel the Sena chief was giving a clear message to the BJP on the issue of the chief ministerial candidate.

When asked whether he is the face of the Maharashtra polls, Thackeray said the country looked for a face at the time of the Lok Sabha election and Narendra Modi emerged as the face. Similarly, when it comes to Maharashtra, people are looking for a face again. If people wanted to trust him, then there was no wrong in that, Thackeray said.

Uddhav Thackeray also said that there was no difference of opinion between the allies.
Sena editorial Saamna later backed Thackeray, saying he should become the chief minister. BJP leader Shaina NC said there was no issue between the allies and the only aim was to win the Maharashtra polls.

The results of the Maharashtra and Haryana polls will be declared on October 19.