Eknath Shinde at Idea Exchange: ‘In Lok Sabha, did we say they stole the votes? They got more seats, didn’t they?’

Mumbaikars faced some trouble but now Jarange Patil’s agitation has ended. We — chief minister Devendraji (Fadnavis), Ajit dada (Pawar) and I — spoke to many people, including experts, legal advisors and the Advocate General. We also had sub-committees. We can’t fulfill all their demands and things need to be done within the framework of the law. So we issued a GR (Government Resolution) on the Hyderabad Gazette, through which they will get Kunbi certificates. They are saying that through the Gazette, all the people (Marathas) of Marathwada will get OBC certificates but that’s not how it works. There was also a certain percentage — both Kapu and Kunbi castes who were registered in the Gazette. So, whoever is Kunbi (a farmer, called Kapu there) — in the village or has Kunbi ancestors or relatives — will get the Kunbi certificate as per the GR. A three-member committee, at the very grassroot level in the village (Talathi and Gram Panchayat level), will investigate and give it.

The agitation did lead to some difficulty for Mumbai residents, which was also mentioned by the CM. I also said that nothing like this will happen again.

Shubhangi Khapre: For nearly three-four days it did not seem as if there was a dialogue happening between the two Deputy CMs and the CM on the issue.

Before Jarange Patil came here and even when the GR was issued, we three had a meeting. It had the CM, Ajit dada and I. We had three or four meetings. It was only after these meetings and discussions that the GR was issued and the sub-committee was sent there.

Vallabh Ozarkar: Many experts and Maratha leaders have expressed apprehension that the GR issued will not yield any benefit and that it is a version of the GR issued in 2024.

Jarange Patil read this GR in front of everyone and also consulted experts and advocates. He withdrew the hunger strike and agitation only after they accepted it.

We’ve made the process of issuing these certificates a little easier now. At the village level people know each other. If someone makes an affidavit that ‘I am a Kunbi’ and has a Kunbi certificate of someone in the village, or their ancestors or relatives, then they will easily get it. There will be absolutely no loss to OBCs and their reservation will not be affected. The government’s stance has always been that if we are giving (reservation benefits) to someone, no other community should suffer any loss.

There are different people, agitators, and they want different things. The government will act according to the rule of law. It cannot be as per someone’s feeling. They will definitely benefit from this GR.

‘Reservation was also given in 2018. Devendraji was the CM. Sixteen per cent reservation was given, the court made it 13 per cent and then 12 per cent’ (Express/Ganesh Shirsekar)

Zeeshan Shaikh: You met Jarange Patil in Vashi last year and both of you celebrated. What happened in the last eight months that he protested again?

The main issue is of Marathwada only. When we met him in Vashi, he read the entire notification. Now, they want all the Marathas of Marathwada together in OBC. We cannot do that. This would be illegal and will not stand in court. They said take some time and talk to more experts. I had said that we would give them reservation and we immediately formed the Justice Shukre Commission. A large survey was conducted and 10 per cent reservation was given, which is currently in effect.

On how the reduction in GST slabs will impact revenue | Consumer consumption will increase and it will only benefit the economy. It is a very big step towards making it self-reliant, and a bit of an alternative to Trump’s tariff

Sandeep Singh: There have been several previous attempts at resolution, including in 2018. Do you think you have finally settled the decades-long Maratha issue?

I think so. It has been settled. Now, if someone makes another demand, we will do what is within the legal framework, and we will not harm other communities.

Reservation was also given in 2018. Devendraji was the CM. Sixteen per cent reservation was given, the court made it 13 per cent and then 12 per cent. We defended it in the High Court, which validated it. Unfortunately, when it went to the Supreme Court, it was struck down. It was a different government then.

Mohamed Thaver: When the protest was on, the CM stated, ‘We know who is behind this’. Do you think the protest had the support of political leaders?

MLAs from all the parties met them. I will not say anything wrong about their movement. There have been many political leaders, chief ministers, central ministers in the past and this issue could have been resolved earlier. They didn’t try. What we started, Devendraji gave, I gave, is in effect now. Our intention is clear. The government cannot give anything outside the legal framework. We will not give false assurances to anyone, which some have done. Now those very people ask for a meeting, but when we call them for a discussion, they don’t come.

Vallabh Ozarkar: Jarange Patil’s attitude seemed more aggressive towards Fadnavis but he is calmer towards others. He even praised you.

The government is the government and we are all one. We are a team. No decision was made by me alone at that time. Even now, Devendraji has not taken it alone. We all took it together. Agitation is a right in a democracy but dignity should be maintained even by the protester.

Vallabh Ozarkar: Opposition leader Sanjay Raut said that Shinde saheb is supporting them.

What does he have to do with it? I don’t talk about him. He abuses Modiji, writes and publishes against him and Amit bhai in Saamana, and here he talks good about about the local people, so what can I say?

He is only interested in creating trouble for Eknath Shinde. But I don’t pay much attention to him.

Alok Deshpande: In Maharashtra, the local body elections are expected in the coming months. Will this entire movement lead to a Maratha versus non-Maratha polarisation?

This does not affect local body elections. Local elections depend on the candidate, not the party. This agitation that happened, its result will also not have any effect on the elections.

Alok Deshpande: Will the three parties of the Mahayuti alliance contest these elections together?

Throughout Maharashtra, we are all going to fight as the Mahayuti alliance — from Mumbai to everywhere. The elections should happen by December.

Shubhangi Khapre: In recent months, there have been signs of conflict within the coalition. For instance, you have not attended several cabinet meetings. What do you have to say about that?

It is your way of viewing that has changed. Our work is still going on. I was coming for the Cabinet meeting and as it was raining, I started getting calls about the flood situation in Thane, landslide in Bhandup, so I started calling top municipal officials. Then I went to Mithi River and met people who had been shifted from there. So it’s not like I was absent from the cabinet. We are all together and have taken many decisions on development projects.

Shubhangi Khapre: From 2022 to 2024, you were the CM and also received much praise from the BJP. Do you feel you have been sidelined after becoming Deputy CM ?

I don’t feel that way. When I was CM, both DCMs worked as a team. Today, Devendraji is CM and our team is working. Our agenda is development and to take Maharashtra forward. We don’t have any personal agenda. Today, a lot of investment is coming into Maharashtra and our agenda is like Modiji’s developed India 2047. We are working in three stages: 2029, 2035 and 2047.

On marathi protests | Marathi in Maharashtra is mandatory. We have kept Hindi as an optional subject. Hindi is also there, besides English, but if you look at the records, we were not the ones who made Hindi compulsory

Zeeshan Shaikh: You worked on road concretisation but the progress is slow. Is it because you no longer have charge?

Absolutely not. When I became CM, Devendraji and I called (Iqbal Singh) Chahal, who was then the Commissioner, and I asked him, ‘Why do people have to travel through potholes every year on Mumbai’s roads? Why do accidents happen?’ We decided to concretise 100 per cent of Mumbai’s roads. Today, more than half of the work has started. It will resume after monsoon. In the next one-and-a-half to two years, entire Mumbai will be pothole-free. We are also planning the ring road in MMR, which would help ease traffic.

Pratip Acharya: What about environmental concerns such as the impact on mangroves and the issue of flooding while taking up infra projects?

When Atal Setu was being built, some NGOs said that the flamingos would disappear. We spoke to our officers and people from the environment department, and used river circulation drills and noise barriers during construction. The flamingos have only increased. Likewise, the mangroves will also not decrease. We are bringing a policy to protect mangroves, and we will give those mangroves to the forest department. There will be no compromise on the environment while undertaking projects.

‘The government is the government and we are all one. We are a team. No decision was made by me alone at that time. Even now, Devendraji has not taken it alone’ (Express/Ganesh Shirsekar)

Anant Goenka: What do you have to say about corruption as we hear that corruption in general has gone up even at the lower level in Maharashtra?

Whoever will do corruption will go to jail. Our government’s stance is that people should get immediate service. Work should be done at the collector level and that’s why our Chief Minister has started a 100-day program and then 150-day program. This is benefiting many people and their work is also being done immediately. Corruption happens only when people experience delays and corruption should absolutely not happen.

Alok Deshpande: There have been many allegations against ministers from Shiv Sena too?

But what is it? I have also investigated it. The opposition tells half-truths and hides the other half and they are only doing the job of making accusations. But if any MLA or minister does anything wrong, the alliance’s stance is that ‘we will not spare anyone’.

Sandeep Singh: But somewhere, don’t you feel that the government’s image is taking a hit?

Every minister or MLA, whoever it may be, should think that we are here because of the public. We should consider how we should live, what to do, what not to do. This thinking is necessary, and we should also worry that no wrong perception about the government should be created in the minds of the public. And look, if someone really does something wrong and it’s proven, then they won’t remain in government.

Sandeep Singh: Don’t you think that you also need to set an example?

Actions will have reactions.

Sandeep Singh: Do you see any future for Mithi River, which is in the middle of a city? Crores have been spent on it over several years but there has been no improvement.

Work is going on in three-four phases. It involves shifting people, widening it, looking at the encroachers. People (previous government) have done work before and it is under investigation, but our priority is to complete it. It will take three to four years as it is a big project.

Anant Goenka: In the past when I asked you to commit that there would be no construction at the horse riding club at the Turf Club, you said it would remain a park. Do you still maintain that ?

It would remain a park, there would absolutely be no construction. It’s the same and there will be no construction on the Coastal Road either.

Only green spaces. Did you ever think that the Mahalaxmi Race Course area would be used for a garden?
So when I became Chief Minister, I said, “This is the heart of the city, it can become a big oxygen park for the people of Mumbai.” Because it’s a big area. So they said, “No, how will we do it?”

I felt Mumbaikars should be given something like this, something big, a world-class Central Park (like New York) here, for those who are living their daily lives. So, after discussions, the government took 125 acres of their land, and the vacant land of the Coastal Road and that strip of land is almost 150 acres. So, 150 and 125, it becomes close to 300 acres. We are creating such a big Central Park in Mumbai. We are connecting it with an underpass. There will never be any construction there, it will always be green.

Anant Goenka: At Nariman Point, which is a premier business district, people wait for hours for a bus. Why can’t we increase the number of buses on Mumbai roads?

Electric buses are coming now. Around 2,000-4,000 buses are coming, both in BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) and MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation). It was slow in between, but they are now fulfilling it.

We have also developed an app that will show where the bus is and how long will it take to reach. When the metro is built, a lot of this load on the buses will reduce. We are also doing pod taxis in BKC and then in Mumbai.

Zeeshan Shaikh: As CM, you launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which several believe played a key role in winning the state elections. After strategising the entire scheme, did you feel let down when you weren’t made the CM?

No, our agenda is not about the chair. I myself called Modiji and told him that as the leader of NDA he should take whatever decision he wanted. I told him, ‘I am with you. Shiv Sena is with you.’

I’m happy for the 2-2.5 crore Ladki Bahin of Maharashtra. I’ve now got the identity of being their Ladla bhai (beloved brother).

P Vaidyanathan Iyer: PM Modi’s larger philosophy has been not to distribute money to everyone but create means for them to earn. Apart from Gujarat, where no money has been given under any scheme, other states, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, have given money through schemes. Some states are also giving money for unemployment. What is your view on this?

The Rs 1,500 we gave, they didn’t deposit it in the bank but have brought it into the market. Some of them have formed groups of 10-50-100 in Nagpur, Pune. They have formed a credit society. Some have come together to start a small business of selling saris. Some used to sell puja items and have now expanded their business… This entire money comes into circulation. Isn’t it good to make them self-reliant? This strengthens the economy further.

What you are saying about distributing money and making people completely carefree is not the correct objective. But here government money is being used to benefit their small businesses, pay children’s fees… There are many success stories.

On the problem of citizenship in West Bengal | Bangladeshis should be expelled from this country. No one should give them shelter… If we do all this vote politics, then our country will be in danger

Sandeep Singh: Political activity for the Bihar elections has increased and the Opposition is running a campaign about vote theft, citing how the Maharashtra government was formed. What do you have to say on that?

Along with our Ladki Bahins, their husbands and relatives also voted for us. The percentage of voting increased. So this is also an insult to those who voted for us. When they win votes, then they say everything is fine, EVM is fine, voter list is also fine. In Lok Sabha, did we say that they stole the votes? They got more seats in Lok Sabha, didn’t they? They spread a fake narrative that the Constitution is in danger. Can anyone change the Constitution or abolish SC/ST reservation? Who has the authority at the state level? They said that too.

Sandeep Singh: The government has announced a reduction in GST slabs. Will it impact your GST revenue?

No, it won’t. For instance, during Covid, when we reduced the premium and stamp duty, revenue increased from that. Here, consumer consumption will increase and it will only benefit the economy. It is a very big step towards making it self-reliant, and a bit of an alternative to Trump’s tariff.

Anant Goenka: If you could talk about the problem of citizenship in West Bengal and why is it happening so much in West Bengal?

Bangladeshis should be expelled from this country. No one should give them shelter… If we do all this vote politics, then our country will be in danger.

Vallabh Ozarkar: In July, we saw the Marathi protests in Maharashtra. What is your take on this?

Our Balasaheb Thackeray started Shiv Sena to uphold the respect of Marathi and its people. As Shiv Sena grew and its scope expanded, Balasaheb was the first to say that we should say it with pride that we are Hindus. All the people who have been living here for years, they should be taken along and we should move forward together, but Marathi in Maharashtra is mandatory.

We have kept Hindi as an optional subject. Hindi is also there, besides English, but if you look at the records, we were not the ones who made Hindi compulsory, it was others.

Naresh S: Why does the railway infrastructure in Mumbai keep failing every monsoon?

If one-two months of rain falls in two days, there will be some difficulty. This old system needs to be expanded further. Not a short-term or mid-term, but a long-term and permanent solution needs to be found.

Zeeshan Shaikh: There have been some recent instances of communal violence in Maharashtra, such as the incidents in Jalna and Daund (Pune).

Our stance is that since we live in this country, we should have patriotism, love for the country, and abide by the country’s rules. If someone living here speaks Pakistan’s language, that is wrong. That was Balasaheb Thackeray’s principle. We are not against any religion, but whoever is a patriot and lives in Hindustan, should think good about the country, not about Pakistan.