Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray spar over grooming Aaditya as Maharashtra’s next CM

Uddhav Thackeray claims Devendra Fadnavis promised to groom Aaditya Thackeray as Maharashtra's next CM, sparking political controversy.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told him in 2019 that he would groom his son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM of Maharashtra as part of the power-sharing agreement between their parties. Mr. Thackeray also said Mr. Fadnavis told him that he would move to the Centre in the next two to three years.

Addressing a rally in Mumbai’s Dharavi on April 21, Mr. Thackeray claimed the then BJP chief Amit Shah had come to Matoshree, the private residence of the Thackerays, to seek an alliance with Shiv Sena (undivided).

"At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders [Mr. Shah and Mr. Thackeray] discussed modalities," he claimed. It was assured to me that the post of chief minister will be shared for 2.5 years [between BJP and Sena-undivided], he said.

“Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind,” Mr. Thackeray said. When I asked Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, he (Fadnavis) said he would move to Delhi, the former CM added.

The claim evoked a sharp reaction from Mr. Fadnavis, current deputy chief minister in the Mahayuti government of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, who said Mr. Thackeray has "lost his mind".

"Uddhav Thackeray has become 'bhramishta' (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told," Mr. Fadnavis said.

He, however, admitted to having told Thackeray that Aaditya should be trained as he will eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day. “Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldn’t make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when MVA was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in its current situation today,” he said.