Uddhav Thackeray's CM dreams: A threat to MVA unity?

It was an event to exhibit bonhomie and tell the world that everything is going well, but it concluded with a contradictory message. The party functionaries' conference of the constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Shanmukhananda Hall of Mumbai proved to be a battleground for a clash of ambitions between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. The cause of acrimony was the CM's face of MVA.

Given the splendid performance of the MVA in the last Lok Sabha polls, Uddhav Thackeray is confident that the alliance will be victorious in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections as well. He once again aspires to become the CM. His desire to occupy the hot seat is being repeatedly articulated by Sanjay Raut, who says that post-elections, Maharashtra will witness "Thackeray Government 2." He has suggested that the MVA should enter the poll fray by announcing its CM candidate.

As per his logic, the alliance performed brilliantly in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha polls as Sharad Pawar was its face, and Congress won a high number of seats because Rahul Gandhi was the face of the INDI alliance at the national level. In the Shanmukhananda Hall function, Uddhav Thackeray raked up the issue of the Chief Ministerial face. Addressing NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, he asked them to announce the face and promised to support their choice.

The Shiv Sena (UBT)'s proposition for Uddhav's name as the chief ministerial face has not gone down well with the Congress, and Uddhav's remark is seen as a veiled taunt on the party. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, who spoke after Uddhav, retorted that the priority of the alliance is to secure a majority in the Vidhan Sabha. The chief minister will be decided by the senior leaders of the party.