Expressing his satisfaction over Yuva Sena leader Aditya Thackeray’s decision to contest the State Assembly polls, Shiv Sena president and father Uddhav Thackeray said here on Wednesday that his son worked harder than him, that the Shiv Sainiks had accepted him with happiness and love and that it was the Sainiks’ responsibility to nurture him.
Coming out with his first reaction after Aditya on Monday announced his decision to take a plunge into electoral politics, Uddhav indirectly said that his son would be part of the new Government in the event of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance returning to power in the State. “It is time for the youth to realise their dreams by taking to politics and being part of the Government,” he said.
“Late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had told me: Since you are my son, I would not thrust you upon the Shiv Sena. In case, people accept you will succeed in politics. I followed my father’s footsteps and I am where I am. People have accepted Aditya. That’s why he is contesting the elections,” Uddhav said.
Dwelling upon Aditya’s decision to contest the Assembly polls, Uddhav said: “I am satisfied with what is happening today. Aditya is very determined and is working for the party with a lot of interest. He works harder than me. The Shiv Sainiks have accepted him with happiness and love. That’s why I did not go to the function where he announced his decision to contest the Assembly polls. I do not want to do things in a hurry. Henceforth, he is the responsibility of Shiv Sainiks".
“Working for the people is the tradition in Thackeray’s family. I am happy that Aditya is carrying forward the tradition. I would like to thank Shiv Sainiks for this. He is fighting for the development of Maharashtra and also to fulfil the dreams of the youth in the state,” Uddhav said.
Uddhav, who was speaking at a function organised to welcome Congress MLC from Nandurbar Chandrakant Raghuvamshi into the Shiv Sena, said that he would dwell upon in detail about the seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP and other issues relating to the State Assembly at the Dussehra rally to be held at the Shivaji Park in north-central Mumbai on October 8.
Rooting for the younger generation entering electoral politics, Uddhav said: “Till today, political leaders have sold only dreams to the youth. The youth have been living with the same dreams until now. However, the youth should now come forward to realise their dreams by entering electoral politics and becoming part of the Government. The youth should now bring about transformation in Maharashtra and the country”.
Meanwhile, Aditya — who is the first Thackeray in the four generations of Thackerays to have taken a plunge into electoral politics — is expected to file his nomination for the State Assembly polls from Worli constituency in south-central Mumbai on Thursday.
