'Everything is being taken to Gujarat': Uddhav Thackeray slams Maharashtra CM Shinde on losing big projects

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has launched a scathing attack on his successor, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that since the latter assumed office, several major industrial projects have moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat.

"When I was the Chief Minister, did you hear even a single news that any project from here went to Gujarat? In the last two and a half years, since this 'Mindhe' (Shinde) became Chief Minister, so many industries have gone to Gujarat. Everything is being taken to Gujarat. Mumbai's economic centre has also been taken to Gujarat. We are not just fighting for power, but our fight is against the looting of Maharashtra," Mr. Thackeray said while unveiling the statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Ramtek.

The former CM also criticized the Shinde government over the recent collapse of a Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Mumbai, saying it reflects the administration's negligence and lack of respect for the revered historical figure.

Thackeray's comments underline the growing political rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions and the battle for the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.