Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Rules Out Alliance with Uddhav Thackeray
No Future Alliance with MVA or Uddhav Thackeray
On Wednesday, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition will not form any political alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT). He emphasized that their coalition is fully capable of winning elections independently. Fadnavis stated, 'We will never need the MVA or Uddhav Thackeray in the future. We cannot form an alliance with them. We are winning this election. While it is true that they are not our 'enemies', we might share tea in the future, but there will be no alliance.'
Campaigning with Professionalism
Speaking to a news media outlet, Fadnavis highlighted that the Mahayuti has engaged in the municipal corporation election campaign with a 'serious and professional' approach from day one. He stressed that the BJP-led coalition has fielded candidates from diverse backgrounds, including vegetable vendors, middle-class individuals, lawyers, and even homeless people. According to him, the public has shown tremendous support for their campaign due to the visible work presented to voters. Expressing confidence in the results, Fadnavis predicted that the Mahayuti would secure a clear majority, claiming that they would have mayors in 26 out of the 29 municipal corporations participating in the elections.
Critique of Divisive Politics
Fadnavis also criticized the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray for allegedly promoting 'Marathi versus non-Marathi' politics during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. He stated that such divisive politics is entirely contrary to his government's development-oriented vision. He remarked, 'Marathi is my language. The Marathi language should develop.' Additionally, he expressed his views on the Hindutva controversy, asserting that Hindutva is the 'soul' of the BJP and has never been used merely as an electoral slogan. He condemned opponents who distance themselves from Hindutva for political gain, insisting they must answer to the public for misleading Marathi identity.