Mumbai Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has firmly dismissed any suggestions of strain in his relationship with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He made this declaration during an exclusive interview on Tuesday, even as his party Shiv Sena faces pointed criticism from BJP allies in key municipal areas.
Constant Dialogue Amid Political Tensions
Shinde revealed that he maintains regular communication with CM Fadnavis. He described their discussions as comprehensive and ongoing. "We speak on everything," Shinde stated emphatically. "We are in constant dialogue."
The deputy CM addressed specific concerns about BJP's aggressive stance in Navi Mumbai and Ambernath. In these locations, BJP has reportedly planned to gain office alongside Congress, creating an unusual alliance dynamic. Shinde brushed aside these developments as inconsequential.
"Forget Navi Mumbai," he said. "People make all kinds of allegations. I don't pay attention." Shinde expressed confidence that Chief Minister Fadnavis remains fully aware of the political landscape. "CM knows what is happening. Things are out in the open."
Targeting the Thackeray Legacy
Shinde launched a sharp critique against Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. He accused the Thackeray cousins of employing emotional tactics rather than substantive politics. "They resort to emotional blackmail in the name of 'Marathi manoos'," Shinde charged. "They have nothing else to talk about."
The deputy CM contrasted this approach with what he presented as Mahayuti's development-focused agenda. He made a bold prediction about the upcoming BMC elections. "Mahayuti will capture BMC," Shinde asserted. "We will transform Mumbai in five years."
Addressing Mumbai's Civic Challenges
Shinde positioned his administration as actively correcting decades of municipal neglect. He highlighted specific infrastructure improvements currently underway. "We are making all roads cement concrete and pothole-free," he detailed. "We are making STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants)."
The deputy CM pointedly questioned why previous administrations failed to implement these basic improvements. "Why didn't they do this in 25 years?" he asked. "They were letting sewage water go into the sea."
Shinde framed the current administration's work as making up for lost time. "We will make up for the governance deficit of 25 years in BMC," he promised. "We have already covered a lot of ground in the past 3.5 years."
Historical Context and Current Alliances
Shiv Sena enjoyed uninterrupted control of BMC for a quarter century before the party's dramatic split in 2022. Shinde's faction broke away and aligned with BJP, forming the current Mahayuti coalition at the state level.
Shinde emphasized the importance of extending this alliance to Mumbai's municipal corporation. "There is an NDA government at the Centre and a Mahayuti one in the state," he noted. "So there is need for Mahayuti in BMC for development."
Responding to Allegations About Mega Projects
Shinde also addressed recent allegations from Raj Thackeray regarding several large-scale projects. These include the Dharavi redevelopment and Navi Mumbai initiatives, which critics claim disproportionately benefit the Adani Group.
The deputy CM turned these accusations back on the accusers. He reminded critics that Uddhav Thackeray served as Chief Minister when these project decisions were made. "When you are in office, you have one stand," Shinde observed. "When you are not, you have another. These are double standards."
Shinde criticized what he characterized as contradictory positions on investment. "You say investors are not coming to the state," he stated. "Then you make allegations against investors. You invest in London. But you target investors in Maharashtra."
Throughout the interview, Shinde maintained a focus on development and alliance unity. He dismissed internal criticisms as distractions from the larger goal of securing victory in the approaching municipal elections.
