Eknath Shinde | The 58th anniversary of the Shiv Sena party was celebrated grandly at the NSCI Dome in Worli today, where Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde delivered a powerful speech criticising Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for his alleged alliance with the Congress party.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde questioned Uddhav Thackeray’s loyalty to Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, stating, “Balasaheb always spoke of burying the Congress. How could Uddhav Thackeray support the Congress without trembling?”
He challenged the notion that those who claim to uphold Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy could align with Congress.
During his speech, Shinde emphasised his commitment to preserving Shiv Sena’s stronghold, citing significant electoral victories in Thane-Kalyan and Sambhajinagar. “We won firmly, not marginally. Shiv Sena voters trusted us, and I deeply thank and bow down to them,” he expressed.
Reflecting on past political moves, Shinde mentioned the uprising two years ago intended to free Shiv Sena from Congress’s influence and preserve Balasaheb’s ideas. “Today, the people have confirmed their decision,” he stated, criticising Uddhav Thackeray for being “allergic to Hinduism” and questioning his commitment to Hindu values.
Shinde highlighted the Shiv Sena’s success in recent elections, noting that they secured 7 Lok Sabha seats and had the potential to win more. He called for strengthening the Grand Alliance and moving forward with unity. “As Chief Minister, I hold the highest responsibility, and I will fulfil it with utmost dedication,” Shinde assured.
He pointed out the loyalty of Shiv Sena’s core voters, stating that 19% of the original voters remained with the party due to Balasaheb’s ideas. “Only 4.5% of voters stayed with Uddhav’s faction,” Shinde criticised.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister also addressed issues regarding Congress’s electoral performance and raised questions about the integrity of the voting process. “Congress contested 388 seats and won only 99. Should we then question if the EVMs were hacked?” he asked.
Shinde took a strong stance against Uddhav Thackeray, labelling his faction as a “fake party” and criticising their election strategies, including alleged support for anti-national elements. He condemned the glorification of Yakub Memon and doubts cast on the sacrifices of policemen in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Shinde reaffirmed Shiv Sena’s commitment to Hindu values and Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, rejecting appeasement and calling for unity among Hindus. “Balasaheb Thackeray was never against the minority community, nor are we. Many Shiv Sena workers belong to minority communities,” he stated.
Shinde expressed confidence in Shiv Sena’s future and condemned opportunistic politics. “We are stronger and more united than ever,” he said
The Maharashtra Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) announced a series of new initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens and strengthening the community. Key among these initiatives are the launch of a comprehensive health campaign, the establishment of village-to-village branches, and the Shiv Sampark campaign.
In a passionate address, the Maharashtra Chief Minister emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement. “Insurance is provided to warkaris. Leaders and workers should not confine themselves to offices. Instead, they should be visible at the doorsteps of the people,” he said.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister stressed the need to combat misinformation, drawing a comparison to Goebbels’ propagandistic tactics. “Lies should be refuted. We must tell people the truth and erase these falsehoods. We should all be determined to strengthen the Shiv Sena, uphold the thoughts of Shiv Sena and Balasaheb, maintain the pride of Hinduism, and defeat our opponents,” he said.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister said, “We are determined to hoist the saffron flag of Mahayuti once again on the Vidhan Bhavan. Let us start working for this victory from today.” He urged everyone to work with determination from the Gram Sabha to the Vidhan Sabha.
