‘Won’t be surprised if they merge with Congress, hug LeT or Hizbul Mujahideen’: Shinde attacks Thackeray
Adding that certain powers are busy making communities fight against each other and bring him down from power, the CM said, “I appeal to the people of the state to not fall for these tactics.”
CM Eknath Shinde at the Dussehra rally organised by the Shiv Sena led by him in Mumbai on Tuesday. (Express Photo)
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday reiterated his government’s stand to provide reservation to the Maratha community by pledging in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said that he has no desire for power as the people would be with him despite attempts to bring him down from power.
Speaking at the Dussehra rally organised by Shiv Sena faction led by him, Shinde said, “Ever since I become the Chief Minister, they (Thackerays) have been claiming that I will be dethroned and the government will fall. But the government has become stronger with over 200 MLAs supporting us. I have no desire for power as the people of Maharashtra are with me,” he said.
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Adding that certain powers are busy making communities fight against each other and bring him down from power, the CM said, “I appeal to the people of the state to not fall for these tactics.”
Claiming that he has always been a worker and will remain so, Shinde asked if the hate against him by the Thackerays was because of his humble background. “When Covid hit, I was on the streets to help people. But you were sitting at home, counting money. You will have to answer the allegations of corruption in BMC,” he said.
“No matter how much you criticise us, the people of this country made NDA win in 2014 and in 2019. It will be the same in 2024. We will win 45 Lok Sabha seats. Maharashtra stands behind Narendra Modi strongly,” he said.
Claiming that Uddhav Thackeray always wanted to become the Chief Minister but had hidden his real face for long, Shinde said, “He had sent two people to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar to tell him that he should be made the Chief Minister. He had taken a sage’s avatar, but was actually an opportunist.”
Shinde’s Sena decided to hold its first Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai after getting the Shiv Sena election symbol, while Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena held the rally at the traditional venue of Shivaji Park.
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“I could have held the rally at Shivaji Park. But I am the head of the state and wanted to maintain peace. Last year, we held the rally at BKC. I told my people that for me any place where I can reiterate Balasaheb’s thoughts is Shivtirth for me,” said Shinde.
Slamming Thackeray over his alliance with Congress, Shinde said, “I won’t be surprised if they merge with Congress. Instead of being proud as Hindu, they are now proud to join hands with socialists, Congress. They will even join hands with Owaisi. Further even hug Lashkar e Toiba or Hizabul Mujahideen.”
Claiming that the Thackerays sought Rs 50 crore in the bank account of the party after the Election Commission gave the party name and symbol to Shinde-led group, the CM said that he never thought twice before giving them the money.
Earlier, Shiv Sena leader and former minister Ramdas Kadam who had criticised Manoj Jarange Patil over the demand to give OBC status to Marathas, said that he never intended to oppose the demand of reservation. “I am a Maratha myself. I spoke only in the context of Konkan area. I completely support the demand of Maratha reservation. I also urge Shinde ji to conduct survey and finalise the number of members of communities,” he said.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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