Last Updated:
The Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 57 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, (PTI file photo)
The people of Maharashtra have given their verdict on which is the real Shiv Sena, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Thursday while underlining his party’s stellar performance in the November assembly polls.
Addressing a rally to mark the 99th birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Shinde said the Shiv Sena (UBT) contested 97 seats and won only 20 seats.
related stories
“We contested 80 seats and won 60 seats. This victory is spectacular. Now tell me whose Shiv Sena is real. People have given their verdict on which Shiv Sena is the real one,” Shinde said.
The Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 57 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
“We are the inheritors of Balasaheb’s legacy. People have put their seal on it,” Shinde asserted.
Shinde said it was necessary to get similar success in the local body polls, which are due in several cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, since early 2022.
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after Shinde rebelled against then CM Uddhav Thackeray and brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
Shinde’s faction got the ‘Shiv Sena’ name and ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, while the Thackeray faction was christened Shiv Sena (UBT) with ‘mashaal’ (flaming torch) as its symbol.
Shinde also accused the Sena (UBT) of abandoning the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and said the party is neither fish nor fowl (na ghar ka ghat ka).
“Self-respect is more important than any position. There will be no compromise on Shiv Sena’s ideals and self-respect. The ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray will not be betrayed,” said Shinde, who is the party’s chief leader.
Shinde also took a dig at the Shiv Sena (UBT) and said one needs to the strength to contest polls solo.
“You can’t fight polls sitting at home,” Shinde said in a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray, who was often accused of governing from his Matoshree residence when he was CM from 2019 to 2022.
Shinde said he will continue to work as an ordinary party worker and that being a brother to “ladki bahins” (beloved sisters) is his new and biggest identity.
The former chief minister was referring to the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana under which Rs 1,500 is given as monthly aid to women with annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. It was started during Shinde’s tenure as CM.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
