Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep respect and gratitude for Balasaheb Thackeray, emphasizing the affection Thackeray showed him. When asked if he considers former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray the rightful heir to Balasaheb Thackeray, PM Modi stated that he would always be grateful to Balasaheb and could never speak against him. He added that he would be the first to assist Uddhav if he ever faced trouble.
Addressing the question, PM Modi acknowledged that Uddhav Thackeray is Balasaheb’s biological son, which is an unchangeable fact. Modi shared his close connection with the Thackeray family, mentioning how he kept in touch with Balasaheb’s wife when he was unwell and before his surgery. He also promised to be the first to come to Uddhav Thackeray’s aid if necessary.
The Prime Minister explained that offering the Chief Minister’s role to Shiv Sena, despite the Bharatiya Janata Party being the largest party, was a tribute to Balasaheb.
Despite BJP and Shiv Sena being political adversaries in the previous election, PM Modi emphasized that his respect for Balasaheb Thackeray prevented him from speaking against him. “Even when Uddhav Thackeray criticized me, I refrained from retaliating because of my lifelong respect for Balasaheb,” PM Modi stated.
THE SENA-BJP SPLIT IN MAHARASHTRA
The political landscape in Maharashtra features two factions of both the Shiv Sena and the NCP. One faction from each party is aligned with the BJP as part of the Mahayuti alliance, while the other is aligned with Congress under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) banner.
The long-standing alliance between Shiv Sena and BJP, which began in 1989, ended in 2019 after the Maharashtra Assembly Elections due to disagreements over the Chief Minister’s role. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena severed ties with the BJP, forming a coalition government with Congress and NCP, which led to Uddhav becoming the Chief Minister.
