Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticized former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, alleging that Mumbaikars punished him for years of misrule in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and rejected their emotional politics.
Shinde launched a scathing attack on the Shiv Sena-UBT, attributing their municipal election loss to 25 years of mismanagement marked by potholes, pollution, and corruption. He stated that the Mahayuti alliance remains strong and will appoint Mayors in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar.
Despite the Shiv Sena-UBT’s long-standing control over the BMC and the state since 2019, Shinde accused them of obstructing crucial infrastructure projects. He highlighted the completion of significant initiatives like the seven sewage treatment plants under the Mahayuti government in 2022.
Addressing the political scenario in Thane, Shinde emphasized the district’s loyalty to the ‘Saffron’ ideology and warned the Opposition that Mumbra is an integral part of Thane district. He also mentioned the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s support for Shiv Sena in Kalyan-Dombivli, emphasizing their alliance for the region’s development.
Shinde predicted that the Mahayuti alliance would secure Mayor positions in most locations across the state, except for a few municipal corporations. He reiterated his party’s commitment to Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology and criticized the Shiv Sena-UBT’s decision to form a government against public mandate in 2019.
Contrasting the two political alliances, Shinde stated that the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition focuses on development, while the Opposition’s alliance aims to undermine others. He emphasized that their agenda is service-oriented, not power-driven, reflecting the trust placed in them by the people of Mumbai.
Touching on recent social issues, Shinde condemned the Badlapur incident involving the molestation of a four-year-old girl by a school van driver, assuring the strictest punishment for the perpetrator.
