Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday took a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over the latter's dare to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and said those talking of challenging others must realise if they have the strength to do so.

Thackeray on Wednesday threw down a challenge to Fadnavis saying "either you will be there, or I will".

"Anil Deshmukh recently spoke about how Fadnavis planned to put me and (Uddhav's son) Aaditya behind bars. After tolerating everything, I now stand with determination. Either you will be there, or I will," Thackeray said, indicating how acrimonious the relations between the two former good friends have become.

Shinde said no one should speak of finishing others completely in politics.

"Those who talk of giving a challenge should realize where we stand. For that one needs strength. Just like making random comments, no one can finish the other one," Shinde said.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters in Nagpur that Thackeray's language showed his mental bankruptcy.

"Thackeray is worried about his party's falling vote share in Konkan and Mumbai. The day he aligned with the Congress, his supporters abandoned him. When aligned with BJP, he won 18 Lok Sabha seats, but now the numbers have fallen. Thackeray is showing his mental bankruptcy by stooping so low and attacking Fadnavis," Bawankule said.

The people of Maharashtra are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Mahayuti (ruling alliance comprising Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP) will win assembly polls convincingly, he asserted.

Asked on speculation about Fadnavis being considered for the post BJP national president (in place of JP Nadda who is now Union minister), Bawankule said he does not know what the central leadership will decide.

"However, Devendra Fadnavis has huge organisational experience. He has worked as Maharashtra BJP president and has national organisational experience as well. But, Maharashtra needs the vision of Devendra Fadnavis," he said.