Shiv Sena targets 180 seats in next election

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday vowed that his party would sweep the next Maharashtra assembly elections by bagging 180 seats.

Thackeray's assertion came after a darshan at the hilltop temple of the family deity, Goddess Ekvira, near the Karla Caves on the outskirts of the popular hill station of Lonavala in the district.

"It is our tradition to come and pray here and express our gratitude to the Goddess...This time we have come with 63 legislators...Next time we shall come with more than 180 MLAs," Thackeray declared after praying at the temple.

"We want to create a Maharashtra that will be the envy of the whole world...We shall bring the governance of the commoners and ryots," Thackeray added.

He was accompanied by wife Sharmila and son Aditya, besides all the 63 newly-elected party legislators on the customary pilgrimage to the temple.

Belying expectations, Thackeray did not comment on the Sena's plans to join the BJP minority government headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis which is preparing for the crucial vote of confidence Nov 12.