Sharad Pawar has expressed that there is no need for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to announce a chief ministerial candidate ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election, emphasizing that the coalition should contest under collective leadership. His remarks come as the Shiv Sena (UBT) has been advocating for Uddhav Thackeray to be named the opposition alliance's chief ministerial face.

Pawar clarified that the selection of the Chief Minister would depend on which party within the alliance secures the most seats in the election. This idea had previously been a point of contention with the Shiv Sena (UBT).

"There is no obstacle in not announcing a CM candidate now. It's not necessary at this point. Leadership should be determined based on the results. There's no need for pre-election arrangements," Pawar stated.

He referred to the post-Emergency period when the Janata Party only announced Morarji Desai as Prime Minister after the Lok Sabha elections. "Morarji Desai's name wasn't announced before asking for votes. Similarly, there's no need to demand a CM face now. After winning the people's support, we will come together and ensure a stable government," he added.

The issue of the chief ministerial candidate has created some tension within the MVA, which also includes the Congress. Sources had earlier suggested that the Shiv Sena (UBT) was pushing for Uddhav Thackeray to be declared the candidate, while the Congress was in favor of making him the campaign chief for the coalition.

During a recent MVA meeting, Uddhav Thackeray expressed his willingness to support "any chief ministerial candidate" agreed upon by the Congress and NCP. "I appeal to the alliance leaders, whether it's Prithviraj Chavan or Sharad Pawar, to announce their choice for Chief Minister, and I will back them unconditionally," Thackeray had said.

Thackeray had to step down as Chief Minister in 2022 after a rebellion within his party led to the fall of the MVA-led government.