New Delhi: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed disbelief and disappointment over the results of the Maharashtra Assembly election, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged as the dominant force.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Thackeray vowed to continue fighting for the state, questioning the unexpected change in the political landscape.
Referring to the Mahayuti’s spectacular performance in the Maharashtra polls, he said, “How can the situation change so quickly four months after the Lok Sabha elections?”
Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (BJP), Congress and NCP factions, lagged far behind, leading in only 50 constituencies.
Describing the results as “beyond comprehension”, Thackeray described the Mahayuti’s victory as a “tsunami instead of a wave”.
He reflected on his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, and expressed disbelief over the voters’ response. He said, “Maharashtra, which listened to me as the head of the family during Covid, has treated me like this. It is hard to accept.” Speaking on the BJP’s ‘Batenge toh Katenge’ slogan, Thackeray said, “It did not work. Some things are secular like unemployment, inflation. Everyone is affected by it. So it did not work.” Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the victory to public support for Eknath Shinde as the “real Shiv Sena” and legitimacy for Ajit Pawar as the NCP leader. “People have given their mandate,” Fadnavis said. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde celebrated the alliance’s success by exchanging sweets and showing victory signs during a press conference with Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and other leaders of the Mahayuti.