This is an archive article published on November 7, 2019
Call me if ready to give CM’s post, otherwise don’t: Uddhav to BJP
"I don't want to break the alliance, but I want the BJP to implement what was decided during the Lok Sabha elections," Thackeray told a meeting of Sena MLAs held in Mumbai today.
Uddhav told the meeting, he was ready to hold discussions with the top brass of BJP if they agreed to what was decided during the Lok Sabha polls. (Express File photo)
After the 14th day of the deadlock over power sharing in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday said he did not intend to break the alliance but expected BJP to keep its promise— of equal power sharing— made during the Lok Sabha elections.
“I don’t want to break the alliance, but I want the BJP to implement what was decided during the Lok Sabha elections,” he told a meeting of Sena MLAs held in Mumbai today.
Uddhav told the meeting, he was ready to hold discussions with the top brass of BJP if they agreed to what was decided during the Lok Sabha polls. “We will hold discussions with BJP provided they agree to what was decided during the Lok Sabha polls. They can call me up if they decide to give us Chief Minister’s post for 2.5 years, otherwise don’t call me up,” he said.
Uddhav said, “Our party has been borne out of self-respect. We don’t want to corner BJP. CM’s statement was entirely inappropriate…If he is trying to prove that I was lying, then this is not appropriate. If BJP does not want to keep its word as decided, then what is the point in holding discussion,” he told the meeting. The Sena has been maintaining that equal power sharing was decided during the Lok Sabha polls including sharing of Chief Minister’s post for a period of 2.5 years.
MLAs who attended the meeting today, said they will back whatever decision the Sena chief takes. “We have left it to our chief to take the decision in the current situation. We will support whatever decision he takes,” said MLA Abdul Sattar, who attended the meeting.
Addressing a press conference after the party meeting, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said there would be no compromise on Chief Minister’s post. “At the MLAs meeting, party supremo Uddhav Thackeray said discussion will begin if BJP leaders agree to 50-50 formula and Chief Minister’s post as decided during Lok Sabha elections,” he said.
Raut further added: “Uddhav Thackeray made it clear that there will be no change in Sena’s stand. All the MLAs in one voice supported his stand. Whatever decision he takes in Maharashtra’s interest, is acceptable to us.”
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Asserting that Maharashtra will soon get a government and Sena Chief Minister will provide the necessary strength to it, Raut told reporters: “Here after, Maharashtra will be led by a Sena Chief Minister.” Commenting on the Mahayuti in the state, the Sena leader said, “On October 24, Uddhav Thackeray said he will not commit the sin of breaking the alliance. He said though there is an alternative option available, I will not go for it…From that day till today, his stand remains the same.”
Alleging that attempts are being made to impose President’s rule in Maharashtra which is an insult to the people of Maharashtra, Raut said, “If BJP has the numbers, it should present it to the Governor…If doesn’t have, it should make it clear….There is a vast difference between 2014 and 2019. They had tried to install a minority government then…Now no illegal act will be allowed.”
Backing Raut’s statements, another MLA Uday Samant said all the MLAs have given the party chief the free hand to take the final decision.
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“They are taking the names of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and are resorting to the tactics of not allowing others to form the government. This is unconstitutional act. This is an old game and the game will not run for long. The constitution of this country belongs to the people and is not the property of anyone,” Raut asserted at the presser.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
Uddhav told the meeting, he was ready to hold discussions with the top brass of BJP if they agreed to what was decided during the Lok Sabha polls. (Express File photo)
