Mumbai:
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is on the verge of realizing the dream of Shiv Sena supremo late Balasaheb Thackeray after having given his consent to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. In a joint meeting of Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congrsss held at Nehru Centre at Worli in South Mumbai, both Congress party leaders insisted Uddhav to take up the Chief Ministerial post and lead the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Uddhav (59) would be the first from Thackeray’s family to become the CM. Now, the centre of power will be shifted from Matoshree – residence of Thackerays located in Bandra to Varsha – the official residence of Maharashtra CM located in Malabar Hill. Meanwhile, in a crucial two-hour long meeting of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress concluded with a call to Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to accept the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Emerging from the meeting, NCP President Sharad Pawar indicated that a consensus had evolved on Thackeray’s name for the top post. “There is unanimity on the name of Uddhav Thackeray for CM post… Now, it is for him to accept it,” Pawar said. On his part, Thackeray briefly said that the discussions were held in detail to and efforts are on to ensure no issues are left out.
The proposed Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Sena-NCP-Congress is likely to hold a press conference on Saturday where the final details will be shared with the media. “After the press conference tomorrow, we shall make attempts to stake claim at the earliest possible opportunity,” NCP National Spokesperson Nawab Malik said.
Uddhav did not give his final nod to the proposal of NCP and Congress during meeting and he left the meeting keeping suspense over his stand. However, after returning to Matoshree, he shared the decision of the meeting to his family members and key leaders and then accepted to become CM. Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut conveyed his decision to media.
