I don't aspire to become Maharashtra chief minister: Uddhav

A fortnight after openly voicing his desire to become chief minister, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said he has no such ambition.

"People from the Varkari Samaj came to my house to bless me and support the Shiv Sena for the upcoming assembly polls. The love that I have been showered with is enough for me. I do not aspire to become the CM of Maharashtra," Thackeray said.

He was addressing a gathering of people from the Varkari sect, devotees of Lord Vittal, who have declared support for Shiv Sena in the elections.

"Everyone wants to be the CM and people fight for the chair. But see how fortunate I am. I do not want the crown on my head, yet people want to see me as the CM. This love has to be earned," he said.

Though Shiv Sena has been pitching strongly for Uddhav as chief ministerial candidate of the saffron alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party has not been enthusiastic about it with its leaders maintaining a decision on who would occupy the post will be taken after the polls.

Attending an event organised by a TV news channel on September 13, Uddhav had expressed his desire to become the chief minister for the first time from a public platform.

"I want the people to give me a chance and they will not be given a chance to complain," he had said. The Shiv Sena president, in the same breath, had also said he was not dreaming of the chief minister's post, but will not shy away from responsibility.

"These days chief ministers do not understand people's problems. They only make aerial visits and fly to the annual Pandharpur Yatra. They secretly pray to save their seats while

declare publicly that they have prayed for a happy state," he said, apparently taking a dig at Congress chief ministers who attend the congregation of Varkaris at the pilgrim town in Solapur district every year.

He also made a veiled attack on his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray.

"It's time for a pitched battle with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party. There is a third slot as well. I hope that slot is never filled. But if the need arises, we will rise against them (MNS) as well," Thackeray said.