Pointing to critical problems like farmers' struggles and joblessness, Uddhav Thackeray expressed skepticism about whether these concerns had been adequately tackled to explain the massive electoral shift towards the NDA.
Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed skepticism over the Mahayuti alliance’s monumental victory, questioning what justified such a “tsunami” of votes as the NDA retained control of Maharashtra with a decisive win in the assembly elections.
Addressing the press, Uddhav thanked the people of Maharashtra for their backing but was surprised by the magnitude of the NDA’s success.
“The outcome wasn’t just a wave; it was a tsunami,” he said
At the time this report was published, the NDA was leading in over 230 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) struggled to keep pace, trailing with leads in only about 60 constituencies.
Reflecting on the opposition’s earlier success in the Lok Sabha polls, Uddhav Thackeray noted that the MVA had performed far beyond expectations, delivering a significant setback to the BJP. However, he questioned how such a drastic shift could occur within just four months.
Addressing the state’s pressing issues, Uddhav highlighted the ongoing struggles of farmers and the persistent problem of unemployment, expressing doubts about whether these concerns had been adequately addressed to justify the NDA’s massive electoral wave.
“Farmers are still in distress, and unemployment remains high. What exactly have they done to deserve this kind of tsunami?” he asked, adding that he didn’t believe slogans like Batenge Katenge had played a decisive role in the BJP’s campaign success.
“I congratulate them on their success and hope the Ladki Bahin Yojana is carried out sincerely, not just as a pre-election promise. I also urge them to ensure farmers’ debts are cleared and that all their commitments are honored,” Uddhav Thackeray said.
He expressed profound disappointment over the MVA’s poor electoral outcome, stating, “It’s hard to believe that Maharashtra, which supported me and trusted my leadership during the tough COVID-19 period, could respond like this.”
Uddhav also raised concerns about the circumstances of the elections, noting that they were conducted before the Supreme Court issued its judgment on the Shiv Sena’s name and symbol dispute.
“They went to the polls with the name and symbol intact. We need to critically evaluate how such a result came about,” he said.
Commenting on the possibility of Devendra Fadnavis becoming the Chief Minister, Uddhav observed that the BJP’s commanding victory made it likely that a BJP leader would take the position.