‘Endorsement for CM post must come from people’: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena party youth wing chief Aaditya Thackeray says that endorsement should come from the people.
Aaditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and party youth wing chief, is on a Jan Ashirwad Yatra ahead of the September-October Maharashtra elections. Assured by ally Bharatiya Janata Party of equality in power-sharing in Assembly polls, Aaditya says that means sharing all posts, including that of chief minister. In an interview with Swapnil Rawal, he says he is ready to contest polls if people want it. Edited excerpts:
I am not aiming for any top post. I am seeking Maharashtra’s views on what they want; I am thanking all those who voted for us. The Jan Ashirwad Yatra is also aimed at winning the hearts of those who haven’t voted for us. That is my first responsibility. The Sena leaders expressing the wish to see me as CM are [giving] their blessings. But the endorsement will have to come from the people of Maharashtra.
I’ve never said no to any possibility, be it any responsibility in the state, in the government or getting elected as a legislator, because primarily I love this field. I feel it gives me 100% satisfaction. At the end of the day, a single decision can impact a billion lives. So this is the field where I can serve people in the maximum way possible. In that sense, I’m listening to what Maharashtra is telling me. If they want me to contest elections or take up any post...
Absolutely — because it is the people who will have to tell me. I’ll be serving them in whatever capacity they see me; I will listen to them.
Last time there were elections, I couldn’t contest because I was 24 — short of one year for contesting. For the last 10 years, I have been trying to take the Shiv Sena to every nook and corner of the state and even outside the state. Be it farmers’ issues or students’ issues or women’s safety, there are so many issues we tried to tackle, like roads, schools and hospitals. We have not just been taking up issues but finding definitive, time-bound solutions. My responsibility now lies in whether the people trust me.
I am nobody to speak on a matter the two party presidents have decided. Uddhavji , Amitji [BJP’s Amit Shah] and the honourable CM have said that there will be equitable distribution and sharing of power and posts. The statement is self-explanatory. I am too small to speak about it...
That’s what was said in the press conference. Equitable sharing of power and posts includes all posts and power.
That again is up to the party president to decide.
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