Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Mahim constituency candidate Amit Thackeray dismissed the possibility of a possible reunion between estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray on Monday on his debut electoral politics journey with this nomination.
"Earlier, I used to think that two brothers Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray should come together. I felt it in 2014 and also in 2017. Even in 2019, there were some attempts to get the Thackeray brothers together. But now that topic is out of my mind.
Now, I don't think they should come together as the locality is an important issue," said Amit, who is pitted against veteran Shiv Sena leader Sada Sarvankar and Shiv Sena UBT Mahesh Sawant.
Amit, the son of the MNS chief Raj Thackeray further said, "When I was suffering from illness, they whisked away our six corporators from the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation back in 2017. The seventh corporator, too, was approached for the offer, but he stayed with the party. He called us and said us that efforts were made to bring him. Those talking now that 40 khoke now are doing the same. I know at that point of time, how much khoke they gave them. Do not see there mistake they had made on that point?
Amit Thackeray said he hadn't spoken to his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray since 2017. "I have no communication with Aaditya after 2017. Tejas is much younger than me so there is no point in discussing with him."
Further, Amit hoped that on his electoral debut, he would win the election. "People want change in Mahim. I am not saying this out of overconfidence but I know the people of Mahim will elect me. What if I lose? I haven't thought about it," he said.
These statements of Amit are all the more significant, in view of the fact that the MNS has reportedly decided to contest the assembly elections as an independent combine and not be part of MahaYuti. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar made an impressive case for the MahaYuti to favour Amit Thackeray in Mahim, especially as his father and MNS chief Raj Thackeray had already extended his support to MahaYuti in the general elections. Shelar even went as far as suggesting that veteran party leader Sada Sarvankar, nominated by Shiv Sena should withdraw from the race.
He had met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
This ended, CM Shinde and Dy CM Fadnavis met on Sunday and even the Chief Minister held marathon meeting with party nominee and veteran Shiv Sena leader Sada Sarvankar who is seeking his not to contest the polls yet. The Sarvankar however hasn't done so, given the diktat of the pressure from Shiv Sainiks.
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