Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday demanded that party President and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should be projected as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the Assembly elections due next year, but Thackeray refused the demand saying that the issue of declaring the CM candidate has to be discussed among the constituent parties in the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Raut's statement sparked a churning in the minds of both MVA allies, the Congress and the NCP-SP. Both have felt such decisions should be taken collectively. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar of the Congress has said consultation of all coalition partners would be necessary before any decision of the CM face is taken. NCP-SP State President Jayant Patil said no decision of this nature can be declared through the media.
Responding to media persons' queries on Raut's proposal, Thackeray said the CM face would be decided based on mutual consultations among the coalition partners. Congress Legislative Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat said no decision had been taken in this regard yet, while former minister Yashomati Thakur, though admitting to the leadership of Thackeray, made it clear that the final decision would be taken collectively by all allies.
Coming out in support of Raut's view, SS-UBT MLA Vaibhav Naik said, "Thackeray has an excellent record as CM during the MVA's tenure, and he is tremendously popular among the masses." Actually, Raut had highlighted Thackeray's leadership, saying how under his command, the MVA performed very well in the Lok Sabha elections where the coalition won 31 out of 48 seats. He had argued that Thackeray's recognizable face should be projected as the CM face before the electorate for the coming Assembly elections.
Contrary to this, earlier indications from some MVA leaders had suggested that the coalition would first contest the elections and then decide on the CM candidate post-elections, notwithstanding the ongoing discussions within the alliance.
Read also | EVMs passed every test from SC to people's court, says President Droupadi Murmu
Read also | Incident at Owaisi's Delhi Residence: Pro-Israel Posters Posted, Black Ink Thrown
