Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has alleged that the recent reunion between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray is driven purely by a desire to keep political power within the Thackeray family, rather than any genuine concern for the state’s welfare.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Shinde dismissed the potential challenge posed by the Thackeray cousins uniting ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
“Those coming together are not doing it for Maharashtra; they are doing it for family politics,” he said, reported news agency ANI. “People have seen what happened in the BMC for 25 years. They lived through the COVID crisis and witnessed the corruption under the previous leadership. We, on the other hand, are focused on real work, development, and solving citizens` problems.”
Shinde also claimed that within the next few years, Mumbai’s roads will be 100 per cent concrete and pothole-free. He added that his party is willing to engage in a public debate with anyone who believes that “25 years of BMC governance were free of corruption.”
Before its split, Shiv Sena had controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 25 consecutive years, from 1997 to 2022.
According to ANI, Shinde emphasised the party`s grassroots strength and the people`s ability to recognise their hard work will be reflected in the upcoming municipal elections.
“Before the Vidhan Sabha elections, predictions about Shiv Sena`s performance were wrong. We achieved a clear majority, winning 60 out of 80 seats. People know who works, and Shinde sir worked 24/7, which is why the party won 75 per cent,” he said.
Shinde responded to the allegations of corruption levelled by political opponents, particularly from the Thackeray family and Congress leaders. “The party that ruled for 25 years did not solve these issues. Every year, tar roads were laid that washed away. Where is the accountability for corruption during COVID?” he asked.
On dynasty politics, Shinde clarified that the party is bigger than any individual. “The party gave me the opportunity when I was in college. People voted for us, and my responsibility has been to sustain their trust. Shiv Sena is about service, not individual ambition,” he said.
Shinde said that he and Deputy Chief Minister Shinde are focusing on addressing citizens` needs, rather than personal power or political branding. “We are not here to do brand politics,” he said.
(With ANI inputs)
