Wed Nov 06 17:30:43 UTC 2024: ## Thackeray Pitches Father as Maharashtra CM, Congress Remains Tight-Lipped

**Mumbai, November 6, 2024:** Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has thrown his weight behind his father, Uddhav Thackeray, as the potential Chief Minister of Maharashtra, claiming that his father is the only person the state trusts for the role. Speaking at The Hindu Poll Arena conclave in Mumbai, Aaditya criticized the ruling BJP and their development record, calling them “shameless, corrupt, and dysfunctional”.

Aaditya alleged that the BJP has only engaged the public in terms of caste and religion, and that voting for them would be “voting for a stronger Gujarat” at the cost of Maharashtra’s development. He further claimed that the BJP government has pushed investments away from Maharashtra to Gujarat, highlighting the “destruction” they have brought upon the state.

“If people of Maharashtra vote for the BJP, they are voting for a stronger Gujarat because in the last 10 years at the Centre and in the last two-and-a-half years in Maharashtra, the BJP has only engaged people in terms of caste and religion… Voting for the BJP means supporting the destruction of Maharashtra. If BJP comes to power, Mumbai’s name will change to Adani City,” Aaditya claimed.

He also attacked the BJP’s development projects, alleging they are merely rebranded versions of initiatives started under his father’s government, with the BJP taking credit for them.

However, on the same platform, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress president Nana Patole maintained that the decision on the CM candidate will be taken only after the Assembly election, with the high command having the final say.

Aaditya also launched a scathing attack on the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, accusing the project lead, Adani, of manipulating the project to his advantage, at the expense of the residents. He promised that if the MVA comes to power, they would scrap the project and offer in situ housing to all residents.

The comments come amid the ongoing election campaign in Maharashtra, with the MVA alliance attempting to wrest power from the BJP-led government. The statement by Aaditya Thackeray clearly signals his intent to make his father the face of the MVA campaign, but it remains to be seen how this will be received by the Congress and NCP allies.

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