Mumbai: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday led a blistering attack on the BJP saying that lust of power during the present coronavirus pandemic will lead to anarchy. Thackeray said his priority is to save the people during Covid-19 crisis and urged the opposition to stop politics on each and every issue. Thackeray was speaking at the web interaction organised by a Marathi daily. His attack on BJP comes close on the heels of opposition declaring new dates for the collapse of Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
Thackeray said Covid-19 has been a warning bell for political leadership and everyone has to understand that saving people's lives is more important than indulging in politics. "Lust for power in such difficult times will lead to anarchy. If I don't have clarity as to why I want power, people will not forgive me. If people who voted for me do not live due to Covid-19, what is the use of power," he asked in a veiled attack on BJP.
Thackeray clarified that CM’s post was never his objective. ‘’I had promised my father late Balasaheb Thackeray that I will make Shiv Sainik the chief minister. the promise is yet to be fulfilled," he noted.
He further said he was never politically inclined. ‘’I came into politics to help my father. A pandemic after 100 years came during my tenure as CM. I have never shied away from responsibility. I am doing whatever I can to the best of my ability,’’ he added.
On joining hands with BJP again, Thackeray said there was trust deficit in the alliance with BJP after Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde. ‘’During that time the grievances between the alliance were sorted out through dialogue. Alliance with BJP earlier was the golden period while in opposition. The saffron ideology held us together. There was trust and respect. But now BJP is Delhi-centric. There has to be openness to air differences and resolve them in an alliance but it is missing,’’ he opined.
He showered praise on his new allies NCP and Congress saying, ‘’My new allies treat me with respect. The MVA is an alliance of parties where we had differences so we are more open in the alliance," he said.
On reunion with his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, the CM said,’’ God only knows.’’
