Shrikant Shinde Slams Thackeray Reunion, Calls It ‘Family Politics’ Ahead of BMC Polls
Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde on Saturday dismissed the reunion of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, claiming it was aimed solely at retaining power within the Thackeray family rather than serving the interests of Maharashtra.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Shinde played down the electoral challenge posed by the two cousins joining hands for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. “Those coming together are not doing it for Maharashtra; they are doing it for family politics. People saw what happened in the BMC for 25 years. They experienced Covid and corruption under the previous leadership. We focus on real work, development, and solving citizens’ problems,” he said.
Focus on Development
Shinde highlighted his party’s governance record, promising that Mumbai’s roads would be 100% concretised and pothole-free in the coming years. He also challenged rivals to debate whether the Shiv Sena’s 25-year rule in the BMC was free from corruption.
Before its split, Shiv Sena controlled the BMC for 25 consecutive years (1997–2022). Shinde argued that this period was marred by mismanagement and lack of accountability. “Every year, tar roads were laid that washed away. Where is the accountability for corruption during COVID?” he asked.
‘People Know Who Works’
Pointing to the party’s performance in the last Assembly elections, Shinde recalled how predictions about their defeat were proven 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%,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of dynasty politics, Shinde said 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 added.
‘No Brand Politics’
Shinde stressed that his focus, along with that of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is on addressing citizens’ needs, not personal branding. “We are not here to do brand politics,” he said.
With the high-stakes BMC elections approaching, Shinde sought to underline his party’s grassroots strength, expressing confidence that their developmental agenda will outweigh opposition alliances.
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