"Prayed that the reign of corrupt demons ends in Maharashtra": Uddhav Thackeray at Tuljabhavani Temple

It is one of the Maharashtra's most revered religious sites, drawing pilgrims from across the country.

"I offered prayers at Tuljabhavani Temple and prayed that the reign of corrupt demons ends in Maharashtra. I have prayed that a government should come that will beautify the culture of Maharashtra," Thackeray told mediapersons.

Thackeray, referring to an incident where his bag was checked by election officials when he went campaigning at Vani, stated that his bag was also checked while visiting the temple today.

Incidently, hours before stepping down as the chief minister on June 29, 2022, Thackeray during the last Cabinet meeting of his then MVA government decided to rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv and Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar. Later, the Shinde government added 'Chhatrapati' as a prefix to the Sambhajinagar.

In addition, Thackeray questioned who would be investigating the attack on Anil Deshmukh, where a stone allegedly hit the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) leader and former Maharashtra Minister's car on the Katol Jalalkheda Road in the Katol Assembly Constituency in Maharashtra on Monday, injuring Deshmukh in the process.

"Even while coming here, my bag was checked, but nothing was found. I have come to know from you people that money was found in Vinod Tawde's bag. Who will investigate the stone that was used in the attack on Anil Deshmukh yesterday?" Thackeray said.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.

This is the first assembly election since the split in Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party and a lot is at stake for various players.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lost his chief ministerial position due to split in his party in 2022 and the party is keen to prove a point in the assembly polls.

His key rival Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also gained popularity due to welfare measures initiated by Mahayuti government and there is a seeming clash over who is true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy.

NCP also suffered a split with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance as Deputy Chief Minister in July last year. His uncle Sharad Pawar, who now heads NCP(SP), has kept a tight campaign and is keen to see that there is no dent to his long legacy in politics.

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance comprises BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)