Eknath Shinde claims Uddhav Thackeray wanted to become CM since 2004

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that Uddhav Thackeray had harbored aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister since 2004, though circumstances didn't align in his favor. Speaking at the Shiv Sena's annual Dussehra rally held at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Shinde also revealed that two individuals were sent to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to propose Thackeray as a candidate for the position of Chief Minister.

It was his (Uddhav's) wish to become the CM since 2004 but the jugaad didn't work out. He pretended that he was never interested in the post. It was said publicly that he accepted the responsibility (after the 2019 assembly elections) on the advice of Sharad Pawar. But the fact is that two persons were sent to Pawar to recommend his (Uddhav's) name for the post, Shinde said.

After the elections, he jumped in the chair of the chief minister, added Shinde, who was a cabinet minister in the erstwhile MVA government led by Thackeray. They (Uddhav) wear many masks and do things subtly with a straight face. He became an opportunity for the CM's post, charged Shinde.