Mumbai: As the state politics is buzzing with the reports of entry of two stalwarts’ sons – Ajit Pawar and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil – into electoral politics, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has categorically denied that his son Aaditya Thackeray would contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
“I have not held Aaditya back. He will decide as to whether or not to contest elections. However, this time he won’t be contesting elections,” said Uddhav on Wednesday.
According to Sena sources, several party leaders had requested Aaditya to contest either Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha polls, to be held this year. During party’s meetings for the preparation of forthcoming polls, Aaditya was asked by his party men to explore the possibility of contesting the polls.
“We have requested Adityaji to contest either the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha polls. His entry into electoral politics will certainly energise the party. While he remained non-committal about it, we are hopeful that he will accept our demand,” a senior party leader had said.
However, with his father Uddhav issuing the denial, all the speculations of Aaditya contesting the Lok Sabha polls have been put to rest. But, sources in the Sena disclosed that the Thackeray scion might decide on contesting a bypoll after the Vidhan Sabha elections are over, depending upon the number of seats the Sena wins.
Aaditya has also been a head of Yuva Sena – party’s youth wing. Though away from electoral politics, he has been de facto number two leader in the party after his father. He is considered as a brain behind major party decisions. He was also involved in seat-sharing talks with the BJP before the last Vidhan Sabha polls, which ultimately proved unsuccessful, resulting in a breaking of long-standing alliance between the two parties.
