What are the issues during this unprecedented election in Maharashtra?

We are fighting this election as this combination for the second time now. The confidence of the State has increased, that it can defeat these tyrants, that it can fight them. Inflation, unemployment, no MSP to farmers, no education — these are the issues disturbing the people of the State. Businesses are being driven away to Gujarat. Maharashtra will fight against it all.

In many parts of the State, people speak of agricultural distress. But there is also a discussion on the impact of ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’, through which ₹1,500 assistance per person is given to eligible women in Maharashtra.

Majhi Ladki Bahin is being used as a blackmailing technique. What is being given by one hand is taken away by another. We will give more than ₹1,500, but it won’t be a bribe. What the MLAs of this government are doing is, they are telling the women that they cannot come for our meetings if they take money from them. That they will take back ₹3,000 if the women don’t vote for them. Our women are being treated like servants, like slaves. We will not let this happen.
Women tell me, they don’t want this kind of money. They instead want jobs for their sons and husbands. How far will we go with this kind of money, they ask me. In 2014, BJP had spoken against price rise. Now, they only deliver false promises.

How important is the farmers’ issue for your party? Earlier, the farmers’ bodies from across the country had given you a manifesto, seeking your support. What is your stand on that?

We have already promised that we will give ₹7,000 MSP for soybean. When I had become the CM, I had held only one session in Nagpur. The first job I did was to give a loan waiver to the farmers. Even then, I had given better MSP for cotton, for soybean. How did it reduce since my government? Where did the money go? In the MVA manifesto, we have addressed all these issues. We will give electricity in the day. We will ensure better crop insurance. Currently, the government is giving money, but the farmers hardly get anything. It is a joke, when farmers get ₹27, ₹45 by cheque. People don’t have the money for fees. We will give free education to all.

One criticism against you by the BJP is that ‘vote jihad’ helped you win during the Lok Sabha election.

What is the meaning of ‘vote jihad’? What the BJP does is ‘power jihad’. Is that okay? You sit with Mehbooba Mufti. That is okay. You sit with Nitish Kumar, with Chandrababu Naidu. That is okay. If you don’t want the votes, declare who has the right to vote in this country, and who doesn’t have the right to vote. The matter will end there. You have sat there (in power) for 10 years, and though I do not want it, you will continue to sit there for another five years. If you have the courage, change the Constitution. Say that these people have the right to vote and these people don’t.

Recently, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah came to Mumbai and challenged you to make Rahul Gandhi say one nice thing about Balasaheb Thackeray and about Savarkar.

When they (the PM and Home Minister) come to Maharashtra, they know that they have to beg for votes in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray. Their rallies tell us that it is impossible for them to live in Maharashtra politics without taking the name of Balasaheb Thackeray. I want to say that during an MVA meeting, I saw how Rahul Gandhi bowed down in front of Balasaheb Thackeray’s memorial and paid respect. Now, let us speak of the issues. In 2014, what did I do that you broke the alliance with me? In 2019, what wrong had I done? I had asked you to keep your word, your promise. We consider Balasaheb Thackeray’s room as a temple. Amit Shah gave a promise in that room. And now he teaches us about love for Balasaheb Thackeray.

There is a call by the BJP saying ‘batoge toh katoge’ (divided we fall). What do you think about it?

Tell me the meaning of batoge to katoge. When I was the CM, I did not let Maharashtra burn, when Delhi was burning. Was it good or bad? I will not let anyone do batna or katna. This is my responsibility. I am the family head. Tell me one incident where anything wrong took place. This is a way of misleading people since they can’t give anything.

You have spoken about the PM visiting the former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud’s residence. Do you think it was wrong?

I am not so big that I can give advice to CJI Chandrachud. But had he been a lecturer, he would have been much better. There is a protocol which needs to be followed. It isn’t a coincidence that we didn’t get justice for the last two years. Why didn’t we get justice?

There are speculations that some leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are in touch with you. Can we expect ghar wapasi for some?

Yes, many are still in touch. But I will not take them. Many realise that they have made a mistake, are willing to publicly apologise. But I have told them that others have already taken their place. I don’t want people with price tags.

The MVA hasn’t given a CM candidate despite your initial requests. Now, Sharad Pawar says that the CM position will be given to the party which gets the highest number of seats.

That time is gone. I believe, a face should have been given then. Now, we will decide together after the election. We will not let any Maharashtra drohi (traitor) come to power. I will support anyone who will be proposed for the CM position — Supriya Sule, Rajendra Shingne, Nilesh Lanke, Jitendra Awhad, anyone.

Published – November 17, 2024 01:53 am IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeatedly targeting him and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and claimed that he is eager to reclaim the PM’s post instead of paving the way for the next generation.

Addressing an election rally in Thane to canvass for incumbent MP and his party candidate Rajan Vichare on Thursday, Mr. Thackeray called the contest a clash between loyalty and betrayal.

Also Read | India General Elections 2024 LIVE updates

The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has nominated Naresh Mhaske for the Thane Lok Sabha constituency, which along with 12 other seats, including six in Mumbai, will vote in the fifth phase on May 20.

The contest in Thane is a prestige battle for Shinde, an influential leader from the region who split the original Shiv Sena in 2022 and aligned with the BJP.

However, Mr. Thackeray mainly focussed on Modi and his policies. He accused Mr. Modi of stirring controversies through his rhetoric and claimed that the BJP is shifting its narratives, from pledges of securing a majority to allegations of dynasty politics.

The Sena (UBT) hit out at Mr. Modi for repeatedly targeting him and Sharad Pawar. In his recent speeches, Mr. Modi had called Mr. Thackeray’s party “nakli Sena” and described Pawar as a “bhatakti aatma” (wandering soul).

Mr. Modi is eager to get back the PM’s post instead of paving the way for the next generation, he claimed.

Mr. Thackeray defended the coalition model, citing its past successes and contrasting them with the perceived stagnation under single-party rule.

Mr. Thackeray said Shiv Sena and Thane share a unique bond as the city gave the party a foothold in its early days, he added.