My detractors see me in their dreams, know people are with me: Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray

File Photo

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray Sunday said that his detractors see him in their dreams despite stealing the party's name and symbol. He said that they also know the people of Maharashtra are with him.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief was addressing supporters at his residence 'Matoshree' in Bandra in the western part of the Mumbai metropolis.

"Despite stealing my party's name and symbol, detractors see me in their dreams. They know Uddhav Thackeray is not alone, all of Maharashtra is with him," the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said.

"Love and affection are not for sale. These emotions cannot be purchased," Thackeray asserted.

Referring to some political workers rejoining Shiv Sena (UBT) in Ulhasnagar, part of Thane district, which is a stronghold of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the former chief minister of Maharashtra said the battle ahead was but struggles can be overcome with all loyalists sticking together and fighting.

Speaking on the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Thackeray said that day he would offer prayers at Kalaram Temple in Nashik and perform 'maha aarti' on the banks of Godavari river.

He also said he would tour Kalyan Lok Sabha seat, which is represented by Shrikant Shinde, the son of CM Shinde.

The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after Shinde and several MLAs revolted, bringing down the MVA government under Thackeray.

Shinde's outfit was given the 'Shiv Sena' name and 'bow and arrow' symbol by the Election Commission of India.

Also read: My rebellion was for saving Shiv Sena: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Meanwhile, the incumbent Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde on Sunday criticised Uddhav Thackeray saying he is "anti-development".

He (Thackeray) was sitting at home for two-and-a-half years and did only show off, Shinde told reporters without taking his predecessor's name while replying to a question.

"But we are actually doing vikas (development) and cleaning up this city. He is anti-development and I do not wish to make any comment on their criticism (of the government)," the CM said after attending a deep cleaning drive in parts of south Mumbai.

"He opposed the (Metro) car shed at Aarey land in Mumbai, construction of Metro lines, and even tried to slow down construction of the Samruddhi highway (connecting Mumbai and Nagpur)," Shinde said.

Do they even have a moral right to point the finger at us, he said.

Thackeray formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in November 2019 after the state polls. In June 2022, a revolt led by Shinde against the Shiv Sena leadership resulted in the collapse of the Thackeray government.

On the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), CM Shinde said, "Modern technology has been used for the construction of the longest sea bridge in the country. The (quantity of) steel used for this bridge is four times of the Howrah bridge in Kolkata."

The MTHL, also known as Atal Setu named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, Shinde's office said on Saturday.

The bridge originates from Sewri in Mumbai and terminates at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka of Raigad district. It is constructed at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore. (With inputs from PTI)