Never dreamt of becoming chief minister: Uddhav Thackeray

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Press Trust of India Mumbai
Last Updated : Feb 03 2020 | 12:15 PM IST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said assuming the top post was never his dream or ambition, but when he realised that the promise made to his father could not be fulfilled by staying with the BJP, he decided to accept the bigger responsibility.

In an interview to Sanjay Raut, the executive editor of Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray said 'Hindutva' to him means honouring the word given by him.

Asked if he was an'accidental chief minister', the Shiv Sena president said, "May be."
On what changed his earlier stand of going alone in the elections, Thackeray said, "When (the then BJP president) Amit Shah paid a visit to me, I felt what is the harm in starting all over again."
On criticism from the BJP that he compromised on the Shiv Sena's ideology, Thackeray said, "You want to break other parties and induct their prominent leaders. Is the laundry with you only? What's wrong if we align with parties."
On being compared to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Thackeray said, "I speak more."
To a query on him contesting the election, Thackeray, who is not a member of either the state Legislative Assembly or Council, said, "In next two-three months, I will take a decision on contesting polls. Iwill never run away from my responsibilities."
Hinting that he may take the Legislative Council route, the chief minister said, "For (getting elected to) Assembly, somebody will have to resign. I will take the decision without hurting anyone."

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First Published: Feb 03 2020 | 12:15 PM IST

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