Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stated that only the Mahayuti alliance will set off firecrackers after Diwali thereby suggesting that the upcoming Assembly elections have only one party going to win.
While addressing the supporters on his home turf at Thane on the night of Sunday, Mr. Shinde also showered praises on his political guide, Anand Dighe and on the founder of Shiv Sena Bal Thackeray saying that Sena under him is still following such teachings and principles.
“Do you people wish all the schemes and programs which were initiated by the Yuti government to be in existence?” Mr. Shinde put forward a question to the audience who replied to it by thumbs up gestures.
The ruling ‘Mahayuti’ or grand coalition of Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP under DCM Ajit Pawar which does not have any dues from farmers is fighting its own battle against the Maha Vikas Aghadi of Shiv sena (UBT), NCP (SP), congress in the assembly elections due in October – November.
Speaking about his political adversaries, Mr. Shinde stated, ‘If they wish, let them go to gullis or Delhi let us not give attention to them. We shall do our work as usual.’
Mr. Shinde also talked about how Naresh Mhaske of Shiv Sena was fielded for the Thane Lok Sabha constituency in a rather unpopular decision in the previous elections, because Mr S Mhaske got elected from Thane Lok sabha.
In a snide remark that was evidently directed at his critics, Mr. Shinde said that his opponents tend to focus on him much more than they should.
“Just as Santaji and Dhanaji were surrounded by their enemies in water and fought battles against them, everywhere they look, Eknath Shinde is present, I must tell you that I don’t care for the slander as long as the people stand by me,” he stated.
He explained that he has launched various initiatives that have also demonstrated to him that indeed there is happiness in every household in the state.
“And Maharashtra happens to be the very first State to seek educated youth and provide them with apprenticeships alongside support towards higher education,” filled in the chief minister.
He thus described a touching episode, which he said, was an unignorable point where he begged for the most helpless family.
“I got a call at midnight to either commit my girl to a child marriage or simply educate her but without any fees since the parents were poor and couldn’t afford the education. By 2 am, I came to her practical clothes-sconed of all girls or higher study fees,” said Mr. Shinde.
Mr. Shinde in regard to the cash transfer scheme which targets women for the “Ladki Bahin” income said that, the 1500 monthly allowance will not die, infact will whatsoever be increased if “you increase the strength of this government”.
“He highlighted, ‘The benefits will also be dependent on the degree of strength you will be able to provide, this is very much applicable for men also’.”
Mr. Shinde began the second phase of Gaikmukh Chowpatty in Thane and laid the foundation stone for the memorial of Shivaji Maharaj and Kanhoji Angre.
