New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Launching a scathing attack on the Opposition’s INDIA alliance, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Monday questioned both its leadership and unity.
“The Opposition’s morale has been completely crushed, and the INDIA alliance has reached a state of sheer exhaustion,” Shinde alleged, taking indirect swipes at Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray and the Congress party.
Claiming that the Opposition lacks a development agenda and relies solely on criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde expressed confidence that PM Modi’s leadership would emerge even stronger in the coming days.
He made these remarks while addressing the media following a key meeting of Shiv Sena office-bearers from 20 states across the country, held in Delhi.
Shinde said detailed discussions were held with state chiefs regarding the nationwide expansion of the Shiv Sena, adding that the atmosphere is highly favourable for the party’s growth.
He expressed confidence that the meeting would infuse new strength into the Shiv Sena and address the concerns of its workers.
Accusing Opposition parties of being unable to tolerate the country’s progress, Shinde said that India is advancing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, since the Opposition lacks a constructive agenda, it continuously resorts to criticising the Prime Minister, he alleged.
He added that the Opposition is struggling to digest India’s growth and its rising prestige on the global stage.
Taking an indirect jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde remarked that despite holding meetings across the country, there is no concrete direction behind them.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the country for many more years because he has the blessings and trust of 140 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi should first work consistently by staying in the country before criticising Modi,” he said.
Shinde further pointed out that senior leaders like Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee have also questioned the consistency of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
“Politics aimed at defaming the Prime Minister is being played out both within the country and abroad. What kind of patriotism is this?” he asked.
The absence of certain key leaders from recent INDIA alliance meetings has triggered widespread speculation.
Targeting Uddhav Thackeray without explicitly naming him, Shinde remarked that the very leaders who previously tried to keep everyone together are now staying away from these meetings and limiting themselves to Facebook Live sessions.
He claimed that the fear of defeat and internal rifts within the alliance have left many leaders deeply unsettled.
Accusing the Congress of working to eliminate smaller parties, Shinde said that the Mahayuti alliance is built on a shared ideology.
He emphasised that the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came together on the foundation of Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva principles.
In contrast, he alleged that Opposition parties have united purely for power and self-interest.
Shinde recalled that prior to 2014, the country witnessed numerous corruption scandals, including the Spectrum, Coal, 2G and Fodder scams.
However, since 2014, not a single concrete allegation of corruption has been proven against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he claimed.
Therefore, the public will outright reject the allegations made by those criticising him, Shinde said, adding that some Opposition figures are taking positions against national interests instead of practising patriotism, which is eroding their public credibility.
When asked about former MLA Bachchu Kadu’s remarks regarding a potential promotion for Devendra Fadnavis and making him the state’s Chief Minister, Shinde said he would comment only after examining the details of the statement.
Speaking on the farmer loan waiver, Shinde assured that the government has taken a decision and the implementation process has begun.
Funds are being deposited into the accounts of eligible farmers, and necessary provisions have been made in the Budget.
He clarified that the government would also take a positive view regarding farmers who have been left out of the waiver scheme.
Commenting on the recent meeting between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde remarked that if some people are forgetting past differences to come together again, it is entirely their personal matter.
Criticising the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s loan waiver, Shinde claimed that his government was the one that actually delivered aid to farmers who repay their loans regularly.
“Those who cheated the farmers have no right to speak. The first right over Maharashtra’s treasury belongs to the farmers,” he asserted.
Responding to questions regarding the alleged scam involving Rajesh Exports, Shinde reiterated his government’s strict stance, stating that no form of corruption would be tolerated.
Shinde said the Chief Minister would take the final call regarding the Guardian Minister’s post for Raigad.
Discussions have already taken place with Sunil Tatkare, and a decision will be finalised at the Chief Minister’s level.
Expressing confidence that the political impasse in Nashik over the State Council elections scheduled for June 18 would be resolved soon, Shinde said meetings involving Girish Mahajan and Uday Samant are underway and that he is personally monitoring the matter.
When asked about reports suggesting that 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs are set to break away, Shinde termed it an internal matter of that party.
“We took a decisive step to save Maharashtra and established a government that reflects the will of the people. Today, Maharashtra is progressing rapidly, and the government is steering the state in a new direction,” he concluded.
–IANS
sj/pgh