In a veiled dig at Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said voters are no longer swayed by so-called “brands”, but support those leaders who ensure development.
Addressing a rally for the upcoming civic polls in Thane district on Friday, the Shiv Sena leader said the Mahayuti government in the State functioned dynamically and was not like an “adjournment government”.
“Voters had seen through political branding and would back performance and development in the upcoming Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections,” Mr. Shinde said.
He said 21 candidates had been elected unopposed ahead of the KDMC elections, which shows the Opposition’s inability to challenge Mahayuti contestants.
Mr. Shinde alleged that attempts were made to influence candidates, but the people’s mandate was clearly in favour of development.
Calling Kalyan-Dombivli a stronghold of the Mahayuti, Mr. Shinde said voters in the region had repeatedly endorsed the alliance by electing MP Shrikant Shinde three times.
“With a stable government at the Centre and in the State, there are no hurdles in executing development projects,” he said, expressing confidence that the alliance would hoist the saffron flag over the KDMC.
Addressing another election rally in neighbouring Ulhasnagar township on Friday evening, the Deputy Chief Minister assured local residents that all dangerous buildings in the township would be redeveloped through cluster development.
Ulhasnagar town is dominated by the Sindhi community.
Mr. Shinde emphasised the unity between Marathi and Sindhi communities, describing it as the foundation of the city’s progress. “Marathi and Sindhi brothers are working together in Ulhasnagar. This relationship is like sugar melting in milk,” he said.
According to him, development projects worth nearly ₹1,400 crore were approved in Ulhasnagar during his term as the Chief Minister.
He also said citizens will be provided safe and well-equipped homes.
Talking about the State government’s ‘Ladki Bahin’ financial assistance scheme for women, Mr. Shinde said it would not be discontinued under any circumstances as its objective is to make women self-reliant. “I come from a farming family and have seen poverty. I understand the pain of the common man,” he said.
Curated by James Chen
