Uddhav Thackeray Criticizes CM Shinde Over Loss of Maharashtra Projects to Gujarat

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray lambasted current CM Eknath Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He accused them of shifting several industrial projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat and criticized the state's handling of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that numerous industrial projects have been moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat since Shinde assumed office. 'When I was Chief Minister, did you hear even a single project moving to Gujarat? In the last two and a half years, since this Mindhe (Shinde) became Chief Minister, so many industries have gone to Gujarat. Everything is being shifted to Gujarat, including Mumbai's economic hub. We are fighting not just for power but against the looting of Maharashtra,' Thackeray said in Ramtek, where he unveiled the statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Thackeray claimed that Maharashtra lost several key projects, including a significant Rs 1.54 lakh crore semiconductor project by Vedanta-Foxconn, which moved to Gujarat in September 2022. He also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of plotting to 'finish' him and NCP leader Sharad Pawar.

'Mohan Bhagwatji (RSS chief), do you agree with BJP's version of Hindutva? Corrupt and criminal elements are joining BJP. Amit Shah is trying to finish me and Sharad Pawar. Will you allow this? Only my people can send me home, not Delhi politicians,' Thackeray asserted. Additionally, he criticized CM Shinde for the collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district, calling it an embarrassment for the state. Unveiled in December last year by PM Modi, the statue's downfall ignited a political controversy, with opposition leaders blaming Shinde's administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)