Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday sparked fresh political speculation by suggesting that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could aspire to become Prime Minister, while alleging that the BJP’s central leadership was promoting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to prevent Fadnavis from growing too powerful. Addressing a press conference in Shirdi at the end of his four-day tour of Marathwada and north Maharashtra, Thackeray backed the idea of a Marathi leader becoming the Prime Minister of the country.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is greeted by party leaders during a workers’ rally, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. Pic/X/@ianildesai