In a dig at his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray, who has been crying foul after losing hold of the Shiv Sena’s reins, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the party was founded by Balasaheb Thackeray and one needs to introspect why 40-50 sitting MLAs, 13 MPs and lakhs of ‘karyakartas’ (workers) went with him during last year’s political crisis in the state.
Speaking at the ABP Network 'Ideas for India Summit 2023', on Saturday, Shinde said the ideals and principles of Balasaheb Thackeray are the party’s biggest asset and he would respond to all accusations of the rival camp through his work.
Lending new light into his rebellion that shook up Maharashtra’s political landscape and eventually led to the demise of the MVA regime, he said, “The mandate was with BJP and Shiv Sena. It was sheer lust for power that made him (Uddhav) ditch our founding ideals and give a fresh lease of life to parties (NCP, Congress) facing an existential crisis. He formed the government with those whom Balasaheb shunned and kept at a distance.”
To a question on Uddhav’s accusation that he stole the identity, name and symbol of the Sena, the Maharashtra CM, during the session titled 'Gateway To India: Reorienting the City by the Sea', said the Sena’s legacy and identity had been mortgaged to others (MVA partners NCP and the Congress) and he only freed them.
“We have not stolen anything from anyone. We are not after anyone’s property. Our name and symbol were mortgaged to others and I only freed them,” Shinde said.
Speaking on charges of working at the BJP’s behest, Shinde, during the session moderated by Rubika Liyaquat, said, “They are with us and the Centre is supporting our development plans by providing funds.”
In a further dig at the previous MVA regime, especially former CM Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said, “One has to set aside one’s ego and be humble for the sake of the state’s development. We have to work with the central government in the spirit of cooperation. You don’t get funds sitting at home. We are getting enough support from the central government. Prime Minister Modi has invested in our development plans and supports us.”
On the accusation by Sanjay Raut, a Sena MP from the Uddhav Camp, that he took Rs 2,000 crore from the BJP to buy MLAs, he said, “MLAs can never be bought and sold. I will respond to these charges by working for the people and the holistic development of the state.”
On the charge by the Uddhav camp that the Election Commission was working on the whims and fancies of a certain political party, the CM said, “It is wrong for someone to say that the EC is biased if its decision goes against him.”
The EC had recently allotted the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the trademark ‘bow and arrow’ symbol to the Shinde faction, triggering accusations of favouritism from the rival camp.
While welcoming the EC’s ruling, Shinde said, “Balasaheb’s ideologies are enough for us to carry his legacy forward, we do not need the party symbol and name.”
He claimed the development work under the previous MVA regime suffered owing to ‘ego problems’ with the Centre.
“I was a minister in the previous government as well but work suffered then because of differences and ego problems with the Centre,” Shinde said.
On him being chosen as CM over Devendra Fadnavis, who was seen widely as the frontrunner after the fall of the MVA, Shinde said, “It takes a big heart for one to abide by his party’s direction and decision. I believe Devendra-ji and the BJP have a lot to offer to this government.”
On Aditya Thackeray daring him to contest the next Assembly polls from Mumbai’s Worli Assembly constituency, Shinde countered, “When we were in Assam (rebel Sena MLAs campaign at a Guwahati hotel), they (Uddhav faction) said we have to come back to Worli and Maharashtra eventually. We did. I don’t believe in talking much. Our actions speak louder than words.”
Saying his government was on a high-speed corridor going at 150 kmph, the CM said, “Maharashtra is the growth engine of India. Under ‘double-engine sarkar’, development has picked up speed in our state. We have a big role to play in the PM’s dream of a 5-trillion USD economy. We have to work towards our goal of making the state a 1-trillion USD economy.”
Invoking the Metro project, Aarey Colony Metro carshed project and the launch of two Vande Bharat trains in the state to underline the government’s infrastructure push, the CM said, “We have removed all hurdles to development. We have to cooperate with the Centre if we are to take our state forward.”
On his visit to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Summit this year, Shinde said, “I met several world leaders and investors at Davos who enquired about our ties with the Centre. I said they were very good. We signed MoUs worth Rs 1, 37,000 crores. There is huge potential for investments here. We have enough skilled manpower, infrastructure and land.”
Lavishing further praise on Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Shinde said, “Gadkari-ji toh humare hi hain (Gadkari is one of us).”
He also commended Gadkari for giving Maharashtra its first access-control road linking Mumbai to Pune, in line with the personal request of Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Notably, the minister for Urban Development and Public Works in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde hit the headlines last year with his open rebellion against then chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Claiming that the Sena had drifted from its founding ideals by allying with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress, its partners in the MVA, he demanded that Uddhav repair the party's strained political ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and return to the saffron fold.
The numbers in the breakaway Sena camp led by Shinde kept on swelling, with several sitting MLAs switching sides and enlisting their support for him.
The political potboiler in Maharashtra reached the proverbial climax after Shinde claimed he had letters of support from as many MLAs to take the party's reins from Uddhav. Though a silent observer and an alleged facilitator during the initial days of power tussle, the BJP eventually declared support for the breakaway faction.
Facing a floor test in the state Assembly after the Sena rebellion reduced the MVA to a minority, the then ruling alliance eventually lost the vote of confidence, prompting Uddhav to step down as chief minister.