In Shiv Sena, Uddhav takes centrestage

A Day before he turns 47, indications are clear that Shiv Sena8217;s Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has moved out of his father Bal Thackeray8217;s shadows and taken centrestage in the party.

A Day before he turns 47, indications are clear that Shiv Sena8217;s Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has moved out of his father Bal Thackeray8217;s shadows and taken centrestage in the party.

Saamna, the party mouthpiece, has just concluded a two-part extensive interview with Uddhav8212;a privilege enjoyed only by Thackeray senior all these years8212;and in the interview, Uddhav spoke aggressively on various issues ranging from Special Economic Zones SEZs to the Sena8217;s differences with the BJP.

Uddhav8217;s birthday is being celebrated on Friday and hoardings have mushroomed all over the city. In the concluding part of the interview on Thursday, Uddhav has asserted8212;in his father8217;s style8212;that there is only one target and one mission, to ensure that the Shiv Sena8217;s Chief Minister rules the state after the next Assembly polls due in 2009.

The lengthy interview in which Uddhav has spoken on various issues is the first of its kind and signifies that he has moved centrestage.

Uddhav has come down heavily on the BJP for criticising the Sena for supporting UPA8217;s nominee for the presidential poll Pratibha Patil. Pointing out that the election for the President was above party politics, Uddhav has asked why the Sena was singled out for supporting Patil, when other BJP allies like Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal Secular and National Conference, too had supported her candidature.

Uddhav has clarified that the Sena had not given up Hindutva, but had rooted for a Marathi person. 8220;Had we not supported Pratibhatai Patil, we would have not been able to join Maharashtra in celebrating the victory of a Marathi person becoming the President,8221; he said.

In the second part of the interview, Uddhav has launched a scathing attack on the SEZ policy. He said his party would vehemently oppose SEZs as 8220;we won8217;t allow acquisition of a single inch of land for SEZs,8221; he said, adding, 8220;this is a move to create independent provinces, they will auction Hindustan8217;s freedom and enslave Indians.8221; He said his party would oppose the creation of SEZs if farmers stay firm on their commitment of not selling land at any cost.