Exclusive Uddhav Thackeray Interview: 'Doubtful this government will complete its term'

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at a recent event to launch a wildlife book in the city Picbipin KokateUddhav Thackerays time at the helm of Shiv Sena has been a series of electoral Tests The 2012 civic elections at a time when his father was ill was seen as Uddhavs acid test Not many thought he would pass it He proved them wrong leading the SenaBJP alliance to yet another BMC win despite antiincumbency But that wouldnt do for his critics Somehow the discourse around the 2014 general and assembly polls became about how they were a test for himAlso Read Shiv Sena snaps alliance with BJP in Maharashtra for civic pollsThough bruised Uddhav saw off those tests too becoming part of the ruling alliance at both Delhi and Mumbai With the 2017 civic polls around the corner Uddhav has come a full circle But we are again hearing about how this will be his ultimate test as the Sena has split with the BJP In his first interview since then Uddhav got candidExcerptsWhy did you end one of the countrys oldest political alliances and made the BJP Acircu00c2u0088enemy number oneThe AIADMK Mamta Banerjee Navin Patnaik and many other regional parties including the Shiv Sena had joined hands with the BJP for a Congressmukt Bharat Today all those allies have left the BJP Had it been just us you could say we are cribbing It is the BJP who should introspect And BJP is not my enemy Its just that I am with the janata We will raise our concerns if people face hardship Even if we have to speak against our own government or alliance I am with the people and not against any partyBuzz is that Sena and BJP will get back postpolls like it happened in Kalyan as neither got a majorityThe Sena is confident of getting a majority Thats all I can say nowDo you think people will reelect the current state BJP government in 2019Let the government first complete its fiveyear tenure People voted out CongressNCP looking for change They found a new alternative in the saffron alliance But the way things are unfolding I am doubtful this government will complete its termWhy do you say thatBalasaheb and the BJP inked an alliance on the cause of Hindutva we are committed to the cause However for the BJP this has taken a backseat People voted against the Congress as they suffered for 50 years Despite the change in guard people continue to suffer There is anger among citizens The anger is such that they will not reelect the BJP againBut with polls scheduled in the UP has not the BJP leadership once again started talking about Ram MandirWhen the Babri Masjid was demolished everyone including BJP leaders went into a shell No one claimed responsibility It was Balasaheb who came forward and said if my Sainiks have done this then I am proud of them Now when the BJP is losing its sheen following demonetisation the party is raking old issues talking of Ram Mandir BJP is saying Ram Mandir Wahi Banayenge par taariq nahi batayengeRead Story BJP shoots down Shiv Senas demand for cabinet berthWhat about the Centre Will people reelect Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019People are tired of false promises The frustration and anger against the BJP government especially postdemonetisation is such that I am skeptical that voters will show faith in this government for a second termA Shiv Sena minister in the Maharashtra government said they carry their resignation letters in their pockets When will they tender their resignations to the governmentThey do carry their resignation letters as the Shiv Sena is not hungry for power At the right time the party will make the right move in the interest of MaharashtraChief Minister Fadnavis and you are said to have a good equation But in a recent rally he called you an extortionist partyThese all are baseless allegations But yes several people with criminal backgrounds especially from other political parties are being inducted into the BJP The BJP has become party of goonsAnd BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar has called the Sena a party of KauravasWe will reply to all these allegations from February 4 when we begin our campaign for the civic polls The BJP will get a fitting reply for all the allegations they have been making against the Sena rank and fileWhat about the talk of MNS trying to gain proximity with the Sena and form an alliance to keep the BJP at bayThat is a closed chapter for me My focus in on strengthening the Sena Let me walk my path