Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackarey’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have joined hands to save their identity.
Fadnavis said that a hype was being created in such a way as if Russia and Ukraine have come together.
“The hype is being created in such a way as if Russia and Ukraine have come together… and Zelenskyy and Putin are talking,” the Maharashtra CM told reporters when asked about the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance.
Fadnavis said that both parties have lost their identity and vote bank by indulging in the politics of appeasement.
“The alliance is between two parties that have lost their identity. People don’t trust them. They have lost their vote bank by doing politics of appeasement. Coming together of these two parties will have no impact. Both the parties have joined hands to save their identity,” he remarked.
The Maharashtra CM also expressed confidence that the BJP-led Mahayuti will win the BMC elections.
‘We have come together to stay together’: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray confirm ‘reunion’ for BMC polls
“People of Mumbai have seen development work done by us and that is why Mumbai is with us and will remain so. Mahayuti will win Mumbai,” he added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also took a dig at the Thackeray cousins, asking, “Those who could not take care of their own children, how will they manage Mumbai or Maharashtra?”
Fadnavis’ remarks came shortly after Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray announced their alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The Thackeray brothers shared the stage on Wednesday at a joint press conference in Mumbai. “We have come together to stay together,” Uddhav said with Raj sitting beside him.
Both parties will contest the BMC elections together. A total of 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra are going to elections on January 15, with results due to be announced on January 16.