‘You’re not owner of your ward’: Eknath Shinde’s message to Sena corporators after doctors’ assault row

The remarks come less than a month after the Shiv Sena corporator was arrested for allegedly assaulting three doctors at the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, triggering widespread outrage among the medical fraternity and prompting the Bombay High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the case.

Shinde also urged corporators to treat proceedings inside the civic House as an opportunity to learn rather than merely speak.

“A representative who stays till the end of the general body meeting learns something every day. Some mark attendance, speak on a couple of issues and leave. Listening is equally important,” he said.

Recalling his own political journey, Shinde said he once occupied the last benches during municipal meetings before rising through the ranks. “I used to sit on the last bench. Today I am sitting in the front row. One can rise from a branch chief to Chief Minister, but only if public service remains the central objective,” he said.

He urged corporators to remain connected with citizens, solve local issues and work towards strengthening the party organisation. The workshop focused on the functioning of municipal corporations, conduct inside the general body, civic administration and coordination with officials.