“If Uddhav Thackeray Comes to Us, He Is Welcome,” Says Chandrakant Patil in Pune

Kothrud, 23rd November 2024: Maharashtra’s Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Chandrakant Patil, is leading comfortably from the Kothrud assembly constituency in the ongoing Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. Early trends indicate Mahayuti’s domination. When asked about the possibility of former ally Uddhav Thackeray joining Mahayuti, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chandrakant Patil expressed a welcoming stance.

Commenting on the early trends, Patil, who is ahead in Kothrud, remarked that everyone would now aim to align with their coalition. He stated, “In 2019, Uddhav Thackeray went against us, which hurt not just Maharashtra but me personally. If he decides to join us, the high command at the Centre will take the final decision. However, he is welcome. A unified Shiv Sena alongside us will drive development.” Patil made these remarks during an interview with ABP Majha.

In 2019, during the previous Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the unified Shiv Sena had contested with the BJP, and together they secured a clear majority. However, disagreements over the Chief Minister’s position led to a fallout. While the BJP wanted Devendra Fadnavis as CM, Shiv Sena insisted on the position for themselves. Unable to reach a compromise, Shiv Sena aligned with the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister.

In 2022, then-Minister of Urban Development and Public Works, Eknath Shinde, rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and joined the BJP, resulting in the formation of the Mahayuti government. Following that, in 2023, Ajit Pawar broke ranks with his uncle and joined the Mahayuti government, becoming Deputy Chief Minister alongside Devendra Fadnavis.

Despite the history of political tensions and sharp criticism between Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi, Chandrakant Patil took a conciliatory tone regarding the possibility of Shiv Sena’s return. “From 2014 to 2019, we achieved significant progress due to a unified Shiv Sena being with us. If they reunite and join us again, it will be beneficial for Maharashtra’s development,” Patil stated.