Mumbai: In a private meeting with Shiv Sena leaders on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde opened up about his initial reluctance to join the Mahayuti government. Sources close to the party revealed that Shinde told his colleagues that he only accepted the position of DyCM after being pressured by top party officials. This meeting was part of preparations for the upcoming civic elections, which saw the attendance of several current and former MPs, MLAs, and corporators.
Shinde, who also serves as Shiv Sena’s chief, indicated that despite being urged by others to join the government, his priority remained with his party workers, especially for the BMC elections. The party is set to establish a steering committee that will highlight Shinde’s achievements, including key projects such as the inauguration of Atal Setu, parts of the coastal road, metro routes, and the Aapla Dawakhana initiative.
Addressing the influence of Shiv Sena (UBT) members, Shinde acknowledged that while many were willing to join his faction, he had delayed their entries in favor of prioritizing tickets for his own supporters in the upcoming elections. He pointed out that figures like Ashok Patil, who won the Bhandup assembly seat despite facing competition from Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, were key examples of his focus on party loyalty.
Shinde also encouraged his party members to refrain from criticizing Mahayuti allies and emphasized the importance of development over individual gains. Speaking to the media, he reiterated, “Our Sena stands firm on the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray. We work as a team within the Mahayuti alliance. Voters have placed their trust in us, and instead of focusing on what we can gain, we must focus on what we can deliver to Mumbaikars.”
