Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently spoke out about his decision to rebel against Uddhav Thackeray, citing concerns about the departure from the ideology set forth by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Speaking at a party gathering in Ramtek, Nagpur, Shinde explained that while he never aspired to become the chief minister, he felt compelled to take a stand when he perceived a compromise in Bal Thackeray’s principles.
Shinde’s breakaway from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena occurred in June 2022, leading to the formation of a new government with the support of the BJP. He expressed his disappointment, remarking that Bal Thackeray had regarded party functionaries as friends, whereas the current leadership viewed them differently, likening them to house-helps.
During his address, Shinde emphasized the importance of leaders engaging with grassroots workers, implying that such interaction fuels party growth rather than mere administrative directives from a distance.
In a bid to rally support for the ruling alliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde urged voters to back the coalition, highlighting what he perceived as a lack of development-centric agendas within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Regarding seat allocations within the ruling alliance, Shinde indicated that these details would be finalized shortly, expressing confidence in the coalition’s prospects, particularly in the Vidarbha region.
Responding to criticism from Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray about seat distribution favoring certain candidates, notably Shinde’s son from Kalyan, Shinde defended his decisions by pointing out similar challenges within the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
The dynamics within Maharashtra’s political landscape continue to evolve, with Shinde’s remarks shedding light on the underlying ideological tensions and strategic considerations within the state’s ruling coalition.
Sources By Agencies
