Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 23: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Friday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that Mumbai’s voters have punished the party for years of poor governance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and rejected what he termed “emotional politics.”
Addressing a press conference, Shinde blamed the Shiv Sena-UBT’s electoral setbacks on what he described as 25 years of misrule in the BMC, marked by pothole-ridden roads, pollution, and corruption. He asserted that the ruling Mahayuti alliance remains united and confident of installing mayors in key civic bodies, including Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar.
Despite controlling the BMC for over two decades and leading the state government for two-and-a-half years after 2019, Shinde alleged that the UBT faction failed to deliver on infrastructure. “For 25 years, Mumbaikars were pushed into potholes. Corruption continued even during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, adding that after the Mahayuti government assumed power in 2022, stalled projects were revived, including the construction of seven sewage treatment plants.
Speaking about Thane, Shinde said the district—considered the stronghold of the late Dharmaveer Anand Dighe—would continue to stand firmly with the saffron ideology of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. He also cautioned the Opposition not to underestimate the political significance of areas like Mumbra, reiterating that it remains an integral part of Thane district.
On the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) role in Kalyan-Dombivli, Shinde said the party had extended support to the Shiv Sena purely for development. He noted that the MNS had earlier aligned with the Mahayuti during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and stressed that the Shiv Sena and BJP contested local body polls together and would govern jointly.
Predicting a broader victory, Shinde claimed that barring a few exceptions, Mahayuti would secure mayoral posts across most municipal corporations in the state. He reiterated that his faction carries forward the true ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Criticising the UBT faction’s 2019 move to break ties with the BJP, Shinde said the decision went against the people’s mandate and betrayed a long-standing alliance shaped during the eras of Balasaheb Thackeray, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and L.K. Advani, and continued today under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He quipped that the Opposition was so “obsessed” with him that they even see him in their dreams.
Drawing a contrast between the two camps, Shinde said the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance stands for development and public service, while accusing the Opposition of focusing on disruption. “Our politics is not about power or chairs. It is about service, and that is why Mumbaikars have trusted us,” he said.
He also addressed the recent Badlapur molestation case, terming the incident unfortunate and assuring that the accused school van driver, who has been arrested, would face the strictest punishment under the law.