Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the Centre allocate 50 per cent of the funds collected from Maharashtra as taxes for the state's development.

Addressing a local event in Mumbai on Sunday, the former Maharashtra chief minister drew parallels to recent protest rallies in New Delhi by southern states like Karnataka and Kerala, which raised similar demands.

Thackeray highlighted the disparity in tax returns, stating that for every rupee Maharashtra sends to the Centre, it receives only seven paise in return. He questioned the allocation of the remaining amount, criticizing what he called "freebies."

Asserting Maharashtra's right to a fair share of tax revenue, Thackeray said, "When Maharashtra contributes to the Centre, we expect half of it back for our state's development. The current system is unfair, and we will push for changes in tax-sharing formulas when we come to power."

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Modi ki Guarantee" slogan, Thackeray suggested that the PM's assurances are based on taxes collected from states like Maharashtra.

Earlier in February, Congress leaders from Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and leaders from Kerala's Left Democratic Front, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, staged protests in New Delhi, accusing the Centre of unjustly withholding states' tax shares.

(With inputs from PTI)