Shiv Sena will stand firm on its own feet: Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray criticized the Congress party's decision to go solo in the next Assembly polls. He said the party will not carry anyone's palanquin, instead, stand firm on its own feet.

Mumbai: A war of words between the Congress party and its ally the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra took a fresh turn after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed the slogan of self-reliance. Without naming the Congress, he said power aspiring political moves would not be approved by people amid the raging pandemic.

Riled by the Congress party's decision to go solo in the next local body and Assembly polls, Thackeray said 'we will not carry anyone's palanquin. We will wear torn shoes, but we will stand firm on our own feet.' He made the comments during his virtual address to party members on the occasion of Shiv Sena's anniversary. He said Shiv Sena was born for the right to justice.

Thackeray's jibe comes after Congress state president Nana Patole made a public announcement that the party would fight elections on its own. Patole also said he is willing to run for the office of chief minister in the next assembly polls, reports said.

The Shiv Sena, the ideologically different Congress party and the Nationalist Congress Party are partners in the government of Maharashtra which was formed after polls in 2019. The next election in the state will take place in 2024.