Raj Thackeray Extends Wishes To ‘Friend’ Fadnavis, Says ‘Good Initiative Of Govt Will Be Supported’ – News18

Last Updated:December 05, 2024, 22:30 IST

Raj Thackeray extended his congratulations to Devendra Fadnavis, who was sworn in as the new CM of Maharashtra, and his deputy Chief Ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar

MNS chief Raj Thackeray (Image: PTI)

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Thursday expressed his hopes that the newly formed Mahayuti government would make the most of its “unbelievable” mandate for the benefit of the state, its people, and the Marathi language and culture.

In a post on X, Thackeray extended his best wishes to his “friend” Devendra Fadnavis, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He also congratulated Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar for being sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.

Thackeray also noted that Fadnavis should have had the opportunity to lead the state in 2019 and 2022. In 2019, following the state elections, and again in 2022 after the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Fadnavis was unable to become Chief Minister, despite the BJP securing the highest number of seats.

“This time, the people have given an unbelievable mandate to the Mahayuti, more so to the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. I hope this is rightly used for the state, the Marathi people, the language and culture,” Thackeray stated.

The MNS leader also reiterated that his party would support any positive initiative taken by the government in the next five years. However, Thackeray made it clear that if he believes the government is making mistakes or if the public feels the government is taking them for granted, he would not hesitate to speak out.

“We will definitely make the government aware of their mistakes outside the legislature,” he added.

Though Thackeray was invited to the swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan, he was unable to attend.

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP secured 132 of the 288 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41. The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP-SP 10.

Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister, alongside his two deputies, Shinde and Pawar, at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

(With inputs from agencies)