I will decide on Maharashtra CM: Bal Thackeray

Stating that there was nothing wrong in expressing one's desire to be the chief minister, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday said it was he who will decide the chief ministerial candidate if the Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party combine was voted to power in Maharashtra.

"There is nothing wrong in expressing a view that one aspires to be the chief minister," Thackeray told reporters when his attention was drawn to Sena leader Raj Thackeray disclosing his ambition to occupy the coveted post.

He claimed that Raj, who is also a cartoonist, expressed his desire to be the chief minister in a lighter vein.

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Thackeray said there is still ample time for the formation of the next government and he had not yet decided about the chief ministerial candidate. He ruled out any race for leadership within the Sena.

On former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi's reported claim for the post, Thackeray said Joshi would be issuing a clarification in this regard on Friday.

The Sena chief said he is opposed to dynastic rule and foisting a member of his family on the organisation or on the government.

The party would highlight development issues and the insult to Veer Savarkar in the run up to the October 13 assembly polls.

Thackeray said Uma Bharti's 'Tiranga Yatra' would definitely have a bearing on the coming polls.