In a recent interview, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde refuted claims that his frequent trips to Delhi were causing friction within the Mahayuti alliance, which includes his Shiv Sena faction, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party. Taking a dig at the opposition, he asserted that his visits were creating "great discomfort" for others.
He explained that his trips to the national capital are primarily to address development issues of the state and also to connect with party leaders from other states. He downplayed any hint of tension with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating there was "nothing to worry about" within the alliance.
The opposition, particularly the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress, has repeatedly criticised Shinde for his travels, hinting at internal strife within the Mahayuti. However, Shinde defended his actions by questioning the opposition's own alliances.
He asked: "Is it wrong to meet people who fulfilled the dreams of Balasaheb Thackeray by removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir or by building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya?"
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Shinde also targeted the current Shiv Sena (UBT) government and accused them of hypocrisy. He argued that it was easy for them to criticise him while they had aligned with a party — the Congress — that had "insulted Balasaheb Thackeray." He pointed out that the former ChiefcffElection Commissioner who had disenfranchised the late Sena founder was later made a minister in the UPA government by the Congress.
He concluded by drawing a sharp contrast between his party's motivations and those of the opposition. "You come to Delhi in your quest for power," he said, addressing the Shiv Sena (UBT), "we come here to pursue public welfare measures and bring development to Maharashtra. We are proud of it." His remarks come just after his most recent visit to Delhi, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
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