‘BJP’s slogan shouldn’t be ‘batenge’ but ‘we’ll use & throw’’: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has been on a whirlwind tour of the state and has addressed close to 50 rallies . In an interview with Chaitanya Marpakwar , Uddhav said he was sure the Maha Vikas Aghadi would form the government but added that he was not dreaming of becoming CM. Excerpts:

Q: Ajit Pawar has said Vilasrao Deshmukh was the best CM… you have worked with BJP and now Congress. How has your experience been?

A: Sena and BJP were not in power when we came together; we were zero. Congress has been very respectful and so has NCP. Even when I was CM, they never created any tamasha. If there was any difference of opinion, we would discuss and resolve issues.

Q: But there were issues now on seat-sharing for the assembly polls.

A: During seat-sharing, there are always some issues. All parties think they must get key seats. With BJP, till Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde were there, even after friction we would reconcile and make sure the alliance didn't break. But BJP's next generation of leaders… right from day one were cunning. They broke the alliance in 2014 at the last minute. They wanted to finish Sena. But we won 63 seats and BJP's dreams were crushed. In 2019, Amit Shah came home and we know what happened. Even after that, they didn't give 50:50 seats, they gave us 124 and like today, they sabotaged 70. They supported rebels and defeated us in many seats. Now they (BJP) are trying to defeat (Eknath) Shinde and Ajit Pawar's candidates. They are using Shinde and Ajit Pawar now. With Congress, the top leadership like Rahulji, Soniaji, Priyankaji and Khargeji… they have been very respectful. Even though we are not in power. Compared to today's BJP they surely have more humanity. Today's BJP is just ‘use and throw.'

Q: Do you think BJP's slogan ‘batenge toh katenge' will get traction?

A: BJP's slogan should be ‘waprenge aur phekenge' (We will use and throw). When I was CM, no one was cut. In fact there were fires in BJP -uled states. They have no real issues to talk about so are resorting to this. They are talking about Pakistan in Maharashtra elections. These issues are irrelevant.

Q: MVA didn't declare a CM candidate. You were in favour of a candidate being declared.

A: There are pluses and minuses in declaring a CM face. I had said if Congress or NCP (SP) have a face, they must declare. But now that time has gone. Now we have to face elections and then decide on the CM face. MVA will get a comfortable majority and things will fall in place. I am not dreaming of becoming CM. My priority is to defeat those looting Maharashtra. Amit Shah has now declared Fadnavis as CM probable, are Shinde and Ajit Pawar fine with it? Will Shinde become a DCM under BJP? That time will never come. MVA will form the govt.

Q: Ajit Pawar said Gautam Adani was present in NCP's meeting with BJP in 2019 and then did a U-turn on his statement. Did you have any meetings with Adani?

A: I'm not against any individual but the way Mumbai is being gifted to Adani is not acceptable. Like Mumbai was given as dowry during the British days, we can't let Mumbai be gifted to anyone. People will decide the govt, not Adani. I met Gautam Adani when I was CM but it was not related to any tender for Dharavi. The way Mumbai is being gifted to Adani, this is the reason my govt was toppled.

Q: The Supreme Court hasn't given an order on the Sena MLAs's disqualification case for over a year. CJI DY Chandrachud has also retired.

A: I'm disappointed Chandrachud became a commentator instead of delivering justice. He is an excellent preacher of law, gives very good lectures. Had he become a lecturer in law, he would have acquired much more fame across the world. Had Chandrachud given speeches on law all his life, by now his fame would have been greater than by being CJI. He should have just told people what is right and wrong, what one should do and not do. He should have just given speeches. I'm very disappointed with Chandrachud… there is injustice taking place right in front of his eyes. In such a situation you can't become a commentator. Commentator is for sports, not for crimes. Chandrachud became a commentator. I still have immense respect for the institution of CJI, the SC. But I have a lot of expectation and hope from new CJI Sanjiv Khanna. He has a very good reputation, and I believe he will give a decision on the basis of constitutional provisions.

Q: Mahayuti govt ordered several enquiries against MVA govt…

A: Nothing came of them. But we will take stock of all wrongdoings in the Mahayuti govt.

Q: Devendra Fadnavis has said those showing a red copy of the Constitution are urban Naxals. What do you make of this?

A: Has Devendra Fadnavis ever done blood donation? If yes, he will realise the colour of blood is red. If it is red, is Fadnavis also a Naxalite? The flowers we offer Ganpati are red. The ‘tilak' in Hinduism is also red. Now they are painting the town red with their ads.

Q: You have spoken on development of the eastern seafront.

A: Yes but a lot of people will have to be rehabilitated. It is not a project that can be done in haste. We will talk to them, take them on board and then do it. Just like we will do the Dharavi redevelopment project in situ.

Q: Poonam Mahajan has said that when her ticket was cut for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, you called and spoke to her.

A: We have close family relations with Poonam Mahajan and Pankaja Munde. They are like my sisters… Our alliance with BJP broke, and we were not in touch. But I was shocked when Poonam's ticket was cut. She is the daughter of Pramod Mahajan who built the BJP in Maharashtra and across India. ,Instead the BJP gave tickets to a family of goons, where the father and sons also got tickets. This was unacceptable to me. BJP should have given a ticket to Poonam. They give tickets to so many celebrities who have no connection to BJP.

Q: Did you have any discussion on MNS?

A: What MNS? They are Gujarat Navnirman Sena now. Once upon a time there was MNS, now it is GNS. Maharashtra is being looted but he (Raj Thackeray) has declared Fadnavis will be or should be CM. If Fadnavis becomes CM again, Maharashtra is finished.