Aaditya Thackeray’s decisive victory from Mumbai’s Worli has spurred speculation that the Thackeray scion may become Maharashtra’s youngest Deputy Chief Minister as the BJP’s reliance on the Shiv Sena has increased significantly following the ruling party’s underwhelming performance in the Assembly elections.
With the BJP-Sena alliance all set to return to power in the State, there is speculation that Mr. Thackeray may become Maharashtra’s youngest Deputy Chief Minister. The 29-year-old made his electoral debut from Worli. While the Shiv Sena has sought to project the party founder’s grandson as a chief ministerial candidate, local media reports have quoted the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, who currently occupies the post, as saying that the party would be happy to offer Mr. Thackeray the post of Deputy CM. Mr. Thackeray has, however, always maintained a studied silence on whether he is in contention for a top position in the State.
Worli cheers
Mr. Thackeray’s win in Worli triggered celebrations in the Marathi dominated area. Supporters in the Sena stronghold started their celebrations early in the day with local youth and party workers gathering to cheer news of their young leader’s victory with drum beats, firecrackers, and sweets.
Mr. Thackeray visited the counting centre in Worli, where a large crowd had gathered to congratulate him. He requested them to come to the Sena Bhavan where he thanked everyone for their support but refrained from making any political statement.
“People can share their problems with him directly as he is also very active on social media,” said Yuva Sena member Abhijeet Patil. “I am confident that he will work for the youth and one of their main concerns, of unemployment. He is also very keen to take up other social issues and development,” Mr. Patil added. “He has taken students’ issues to Mantralaya and now he will do the same for Worli and entire Maharashtra. It was a dream of every Marathi manoos that one of their own people, a Thackeray should come into power and that dream has come true,” he remarked.
Another party worker, Aakarshika Patil said, “He has worked for people even when he had no post in the government. We can see the progress of Mumbai University after his party won the Senate elections, so it’s a good thing that he chose Worli constituency. We believe that he will work a lot for the youngsters in the area as well as the entire city”.
Parel resident Shubham Pathak was thrilled with the junior Thackeray’s win in Worli. “His Jan Ashirwad Yatra speaks a lot about his focus and the way he wants to serve people. Now as an MLA from Worli, he will change the face of the constituency,” said Mr. Pathak, a staunch Sena supporter.
