'Hard to accept': Uddhav Thackeray expresses disbelief at election results, says 'will keep fighting'

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed disbelief and disappointment over the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged as the dominant force.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Thackeray vowed to continue fighting for the state, questioning the unexpected shift in the political landscape.

“How can the situation change so drastically in four months after the Lok Sabha polls?” he said, referring to the Mahayuti’s sweeping performance in the Maharashtra polls, which retained sway over 230 of the 288 Assembly seats.

Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP factions, lagged far behind, leading in just 50 constituencies.

Calling the results "incomprehensible," Thackeray described the Mahayuti's win as a "tsunami rather than a wave."

He reflected on his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, expressing disbelief at the voter response. “Maharashtra, which listened to me as the head of the family during Covid, has behaved with me in this way. It’s hard to accept,” he said.

Speaking on BJP's 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, Thackeray said, "It did not work. Some things are secular like unemployment, inflation. Everyone is affected by it. So it did not work."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the victory to public support for Eknath Shinde as the "real Shiv Sena" and the legitimacy of Ajit Pawar as the NCP leader. "The people have given their mandate," Fadnavis said.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde, along with Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders, celebrated the alliance’s success by exchanging sweets and showing victory signs during a press conference.

As vote counting continued in a few constituencies, the BJP-led Mahayuti completely dominated Maharashtra’s assembly elections.

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