‘Our initiatives are aimed at holistic development, economic growth and social welfare’: Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde

Our party is the third largest partner of the ruling NDA alliance. I take this responsibility very seriously. The 18th Lok Sabha also presents its unique challenges. The opposition has been indulging in foul play and disrupting the Parliament, clinging to the same false narrative they used to manipulate people during the elections. They are certainly not focusing on the developmental issues crucial for the nation. Our party has three important priorities this time around. First is presenting the cause of Maharashtra effectively, second is aiding the Central government in passing progressive bills and third is aggressively countering the opposition’s disruption tactics, while discrediting the false propaganda.

Many in your party wanted you to be in the Cabinet. Did you step back? Did your father, the Chief Minister, speak to you?

I was humbled to know that many members of our party requested the honourable CM to consider me as the party’s nominee in the Union Cabinet. However, at the Kolhapur convention, I declared that our party would ensure everyone gets a fair chance, and I will never do anything to set a wrong precedent. My father has great regard for the senior members of the party and I firmly believe that Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav ji, who has been in public life for 30 years, is a worthy nominee.

How is the party preparing for the assembly elections?

The party is gearing up for the forthcoming assembly elections with full vigour, working on our campaign both on the ground and in the media. We are evaluating potential candidates and understanding ground realities, opportunities and challenges. After our impressive performance in the Lok Sabha elections, we have realised that the loyal Marathi vote remains with us. Our winning strike rate in the elections was much higher (46.67%) than the UBT (42.85%). We will approach the assembly elections with a three-pronged strategy: first is by adhering to the ideology and principles of our founder Shri Balasaheb Thackeray, second is promoting the people-centric governance of CM Eknath Shinde, and then by highlighting the welfare programmes we have undertaken to benefit all sections of Maharashtra’s population.

Do you think the kind of schemes announced in the budget will help the Mahayuti? The opposition is criticising the government saying the schemes are not feasible and it will get shut after two months and have been announced eyeing on the polls.

The latest budget of Maharashtra has launched several good schemes–Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Unity Mall Project, Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Gharkul Yojana, Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Annaporna Yojana (that gives three free gas cylinders). Our initiatives are aimed at holistic development, economic growth and social welfare, striving to achieve balanced and inclusive growth across the state.

For the past two years, CM Eknath Shinde has led a government centred around people’s welfare. The public trusts Mahayuti due to our proven track record of achieving growth for the state. The opposition is nervous about the success of our welfare programmes. Our initiatives such as Aapla Dawakhana and Shasan Aplya Dari are significantly successful. People know that we promise and deliver.

People can easily discern the true intentions of parties when they release such schemes and can identify whom to trust. Take Congress, for example–they rolled out a massive Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) scheme in Karnataka but failed to deliver, which later reflected in the Lok Sabha election results. Despite Rahul Gandhi’s promises such as the Mahalakshmi scheme, the Congress couldn’t even cross the 100-seat mark. This pattern shows that people simply know not to trust Congress because they consistently fail to deliver on their promises.

What are your plans to counter the Sena UBT and Congress in the assembly polls? The opposition has managed to win good seats in the LS polls.

Our plan to counter the opposition includes combating the fake narratives they spread, focusing on grassroots issues, and motivating both our party workers and voters to participate in large numbers. We have a strong chance of winning. The MVA won more seats this time due to their appeasement politics towards minority voters and their false narrative about the threat to the Constitution. The people will not give them another chance. We are winning the upcoming assembly polls with more than 200 seats, under the current leadership of Maharashtra, with CM Shinde ji and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis ji and Ajit Pawar ji, all known for their administrative acumen, hard work, and ability to steer Maharashtra in the right direction. In contrast, the MVA’s top leadership is marked by infighting and power struggles, with at least ten leaders vying for the Chief Minister position, which will not go down well with the people of Maharashtra.

A major hit-and-run incident took place in Worli wherein Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah’s son was involved. A woman died in the incident. What do you have to say about it?

I am anguished and pained by the sufferings of the family. We share their grief and loss. My heart goes out to the family. We understand the pain and sufferings. The police has acted professionally and lawfully. Mihir Shah could not evade arrest. Several of their family members were detained for helping him. The government has no intention to protect anyone. We are firmly behind the family and will fight to give them justice. We live to serve and bring justice to common men and women of the state. The party has relieved him of all posts. We wish to send a strong message. No one will be spared for taking law in their hands.

Can you assure that action would be taken against the accused despite him being from Shiv Sena?

In public life, one must be seen upholding the values of law and justice. Shinde Saheb has zero tolerance for VIP behaviour. He hates injustice.