Uddhav Thackeray As MVA's CM Face For Maharashtra Assembly Polls? Sharad Pawar Weighs In

Amidst growing dissent within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition over projecting a chief ministerial face for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar dismissed the idea of projecting an individual as the CM candidate.

“Our alliance is our collective face. One individual cannot become our chief ministerial face. Collective leadership is our formula,” Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur, Indian Express reported.

The NCP(SP) chief was asked about Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s insistence that Thackeray be projected as the chief ministerial face of the MVA.

"All our three alliance partners will take a decision in this regard,” Pawar added.

Highlighting the need for broader inclusivity within the coalition, Pawar called for the incorporation of Left parties and other anti-Modi factions into the MVA fold.

“During the recent Lok Sabha elections, the PWP (Peasants and Workers Party of India), AAP and Communist parties helped us. Though we are three partners in the MVA, we should include all these parties. All those opposed to Modi should become part of the MVA. Whatever decision has to be taken regarding the chief ministerial face, will be taken through discussion and after taking everyone into confidence," he said.

Meanwhile, Raut on Saturday (29 June) again said the MVA needed to project a CM face.

“Going to the elections in Maharashtra without a chief ministerial face will be dangerous for the MVA. Maharashtra has seen the way Uddhav Thackeray handled the state, especially during the crucial Covid-19 period. People voted for the MVA due to the popularity of Uddhav Thackeray… A faceless alliance will not help our cause of winning the election,” Raut had said earlier.

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