Aditya Thackeray to contest Maharashtra Polls, change history

Mumbai : Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya Thackeray will be contesting the October 21 elections in Maharashtra with this he will become the first man of his family to ever contest the elections. He will be Shiv Sena's candidate from the Worli seat, which is under stronghold of the party.

"I am contesting the elections... I have taken the big plunge. I am sure of victory as I have the blessings of you all," Aaditya Thackeray said at a Shiv Sena gathering organised for his big announcement.

With a saffron headgear and sword in hand, Aditya Thackeray cheered supporters and said, "I believe I cannot do anything else. I have to serve the people. I have to do what my grandfather (Bal Thackeray) taught me."

Shiv Sena's long-time ally Bharatiya Janata Party has already made it clear that Devendra Fadnavis will remain the Chief Minister of the state if the alliance return to power. Sena leader Sanjay Raut used a Chandrayaan analogy to explain, describing the youngest Thackeray politician as a "Suryayan".

"Due to some technical glitch, Chandrayaan 2 couldn't land on the moon but we will ensure that this sun (Aaditya Thackeray) reaches the sixth floor of mantralaya (the Chief Minister's office) on 21st October," said the Sena leader.

To cheers and applause, Aaditya said: "This decision is not for me, but for the people and getting justice to the masses. This is the time for us to create a 'New Maharashtra'. It is not for me to become the Chief Minister but to fight for the peoples' right."