Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday defended party chief Uddhav Thackeray's call for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies to announce the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, dismissing suggestions that it was a form of pressure politics.

The elections for the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are expected to take place in October or November.

Thackeray reflected on his previous experience with former ally BJP, referencing the "maximum seats-CM candidate" logic, where the party with the most seats typically claims the chief minister position.

"Uddhav Thackeray showed largeness of heart (by extending support to anyone the MVA dims fit for the CM's post). It was not pressure politics. This stand benefits Maharashtra," the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP told reporters.

He maintained that there were no differences among the MVA allies in the seat-sharing deal for the forthcoming assembly elections.

Asked if Thackeray would be the alliance's chief ministerial face, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader answered, "Uddhav Thackeray doesn't need to step forward; he didn’t come forward even in 2019. Everyone together made him Chief Minister.

“Now talking about 2024, Uddhav Thackeray never said that he would become CM, listen to yesterday's speech. If Congress and NCP have any face then bring it forward, Uddhav Thackeray is ready to support that face, but Uddhav Thackeray is in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra.”

During a Friday meeting of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Thackeray called on the opposition alliance to decide on its chief ministerial candidate upfront, rather than basing the decision on which party wins the most seats.

He pledged his support for any candidate selected by the Congress and NCP (SP).

Despite Thackeray's appeal, NCP president Sharad Pawar stayed silent on the issue, while Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole emphasized that the final decision regarding the chief ministerial post would be made by the INDIA bloc leaders.

"What is wrong with Uddhav Thackeray's demand? Thackeray is a former chief minister. His face is acceptable to everyone. He didn't speak about himself. If anyone has the courage, they should declare its CM face," Raut said.

"First, decide (the CM's face) and then go ahead but do not go by this policy (those having the most seats will get the CM's post). Uddhav Thackeray will back any candidate announced by Congress and NCP (SP) as the CM face of MVA. I don't feel that I am fighting for myself but it is for the rights of Maharashtra," Thackeray said.