Decision on new CM rests with Thackeray’

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at the national level and under the leadership of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the alliance has a bright future. I am sure Vajpayee will be able to form the government at the centre and the Sena-BJP alliance will form the government on our own in the state.

If the Sena-BJP secures a clear majority, who will be the next Chief Minister? Will Thackeray retain Narayan Rane?

No decision has been taken on this yet. This decision will be taken by Thackeray.

What are your chances of winningfrom the North-Central constituency?

In the absence of a strong opposition, I think it will be a cakewalk for me. I feel that it will be a one-sided contest. At the most, the contest will be between me and Raja Dhale, nominee of the Republican Party of India led by Prakash Ambedkar.

You were at the helm of affairs at the state for well over four years. What were your major achievements?

My biggest achievement was that I held office for the longest tenure after V P Naik, who led the state for more than a decade. During my tenure, the state attracted a biggest ever investment of 42,000 crore. I led the state to prosperity compared to my predecessors. At the same time, I feel that I am not at the helm of affairs to see schemes initiated by me being completed.

The main allegation against you is that owing to ill-advised plans, the government had to secure a loan of Rs 40,000 crore. Now, it is said that the government had to secure fresh loans to pay the instalments…

The charge thatthe state had reached bankruptcy during my tenure is false and politically motivated. There is nothing wrong in securing huge loans for developmental schemes. We have made the necessary arrangements for repayment of loans.

In any case, since we will retain power, the Congress need not worry on the repayment of loans. I feel that the criticism of the alliance government is for the sake of it, since it undertook several projects, which were not even thought of by the erstwhile Congress government. Sharad Pawar was talking of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for over a decade, but was unable to execute it. We declared our intentions and the project is now nearing completion.

Will the High Court’s strictures against you in the case involving the allotment of a piece of land for your son-in law Girish Vyas at Pune have an adverse impact on your electoral prospects?

I don’t think so. In fact, in the North-Central constituency, it is not an issue at all. Legally, speaking, I am yet to receive a copy of thefinal order.

What will be the impact of the on-going cold war between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray?

Initially, there were some differences between the cousins. But following the intervention of Thackeray as well as senior Sena leaders, now there is absolutely no dispute. Both are campaigning actively for the victory of the alliance.

There were reports that you are no more trusted by Thackeray and therefore you were sacked from the Chief Minister’s post?

It will be wrong to say that I have lost the confidence of my political mentor. Ever since I joined the Sena, Thackeray has always loved me. His affection and confidence have been reflected once again since he has nominated me. And as far as my removal from the CM’s post is concerned, it is his prerogative. It must have been done in the interest of the party.

Was your successor Narayan Rane or Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde responsible for your removal?

I don’t think that either Rane or Munde were responsible for my removal.I have cordial relations with both of them. In fact, both Rane and Munde visited my constituency to campaign for me.