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After Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's remarks on MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified on Thursday that while Thackeray is their "friend," he has fielded multiple candidates, leaving no possibility for him to join the Mahayuti alliance.
Speaking to the media, Fadnavis noted that while Raj Thackeray supported the BJP during the last Lok Sabha elections, his role has changed in the current assembly polls. "Raj Thackeray is our friend, and he supported us unconditionally in the last (Lok Sabha) election. However, his role is different in this time. He has fielded candidates on several seats and these candidates are going to contest against the candidates of Mahayuti as well," he explained. "The Mahayuti has BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP and Republican Party, Jansurajya and other small parties are our alliance. Since Raj Thackeray has fielded many candidates, there is no scope that he will join Mahayuti," he added. Fadnavis further said that they can strategically consider helping or making an alliance with the recognition of the Chief Minister at some other place. "There is a seat like Shivdi on which the CM has taken a stand, but I want to clearly state that we are the same people who are present in the Mahayuti. I am confident that the Mahayuti government will be formed and the CM will be from Mahayuti. The CM is our leader; we all are working in the government under his leadership. I am confident that people will make us win the elections on the performance of this government," he said. Earlier in the day, Sanjay Raut criticized Raj Thackeray for his recent praise of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, implying it was influenced by concerns over his son's political future. Speaking about Thackeray, Raut said, "His son is contesting the elections, so you can understand his mental state. This leader did not even allow PM Modi and HM Amit Shah to come to Maharashtra, but now he has started praising them, so he has fear in his mind. It may be about his son's future... But in Maharashtra, there will be a CM of MVA, and Raj Thackeray knows this very well." Raut also accused BJP leaders of stealing the identity and values of their party. "Everyone knows how theft has occurred repeatedly, and we have been saying this over and over again. Those who have stolen our stance, our party, and our symbol--Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, and Devendra Fadnavis--are part of a huge conspiracy. Now, Raj Thackeray is aligning himself with them," he warned. The Maharashtra Assembly election is set to take place on November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23. (ANI)
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