Maharashtra first, say leaders while wishing CM Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde taking over as Chief MInister was a twist-in-the-tale culmination of 10 days of political drama, but leaders in Maharashtra were quick to bounce back. After days of acrid remarks and angry posturing on the streets and in the media, wishes poured in for the rebel MLA-turned-CM.

Speaking with The Federal, several political leaders from both sides of the aisle expressed how, despite differences, they have pledged to support Shinde, who bagged the top post after ‘bringing down’ Sena chief and Balasaheb Thackeray’s son Uddhav Thackeray. 

Also read: Why did BJP pick Eknath Shinde as Maharashtra CM?

President of Mumbai’s Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Tajinder Singh Tiwana said Shinde becoming the new CM isn’t exactly a BJP victory. “What karyakartas (party workers) like me are thinking is that Uddhav Thackeray left Hindutva for political power whereas it was Devendra Fadnavis who left the latter for the cause of Hindutva. Technically, if you go to see, it is Devendra ji who has fulfilled the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray — not his son.” 

‘Lotus first’ for BJP

He added that Shinde shares a closer relationship with the Sena cadre than Uddhav, having been a ground level party worker himself. “Many big stalwarts in the Sena have supported him over the years…he has learnt from many of them, including Balasaheb and Anand Dighe.”

However, he also pointed out that BJP karyakartas and party workers don’t directly support the new Chief Minister. “We are loyal only to the lotus symbol. But when there is an order from the high command, that we have to support him as the new Chief Minister so that the government runs smoothly…then we will do all it takes for this cause.”

Prashant Rane, an MNS ward president from Mumbai’s Andheri, said: “Shinde is pro Hindu, which is a good thing for Maharashtra, which means he will work for the cause of Hindus and this is why we welcome him as the new Chief Minister. The previous government was anti-Hindu. The MNS’ role in the coming months will be to support him (Shinde) so that he can continue working for the cause of Hindutva in Maharashtra.”

Time to play fair

NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said: “Shinde is now the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and we have to respect him. He has got the top post—but now we will have to wait and watch what he does with it. Once you are elected (as CM), you have to understand that you aren’t only working for the people who voted for you but also for the people who didn’t. What he does as a party functionary, as opposed to my ideology, is a totally different matter.”

When asked whether support would be given to Shinde despite the manner in which he has come to power, he said: “Fair enough. On these grounds, we will play the role of a loyal opposition and show him the mirror.”

AICC member Sachin Sawant told The Federal: “We (Congress) have already said that we will be sitting in the Opposition. We have already expressed our views i.e. that this new government will be weaker and more unstable since it is the BJP that is the single largest party (not Sena). We have already extended our best wishes to him (Shinde) and our expectation is that Maharashtra should grow under his guidance and leadership. He is just starting a new chapter in his political tenure…we will definitely be keeping a watch on the developments that take place in this new government.”

Wait-and-watch

Sawant added that there is going to be an inevitable rise of Hindutva in the state, with the BJP-MNS-Shinde Sena group finding themselves on the same side of the coin. 

Also read: Shiv Sena at crossroads; tough road ahead post-rebellion

Ex-Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said: “No matter how big or small the post, everyone should support him because he is now the new Chief Minister. Shinde is technically Rank 2 in the Sena file (after Uddhav). He has done credible work for Mumbai and Thane. The manner in which he has become the new Chief Minister…not just Maharashtra and India but the whole country has been watching him and seeing the political situation unravel in the state. However, to say what kind of a Chief Minister he is going to be…it’s premature. We extend our best wishes to him.”

She added: “We will stand with our party chief from now and focus on the growth and development of our party. We believe that one day…Eknath Shinde will come back home. He has always said that he is a true shiv Sainik…”

Pendekar added that it was the BJP that turned out to be the bigger loser in the long run. “Despite him (Shinde) falling into the trap laid by Fadnavis and the BJP…the latter have fallen flat on their face. Fadnavis didn’t become CM. If he (Fadnavis) had not betrayed the Sena in 2019, then none of this was even needed. We (Sena) have finished 2.5 years in power, with Uddhavji as the CM…the same thing would have happened if the BJP hadn’t left us. So, who is the real winner and who is the real loser?”

Uddhav, Modi join in

“I extend my greetings to the new CM of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis,” said Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday night. “I hope that good work takes place in Maharashtra through both of you.” Prime Minister Modi congratulated Shinde as well, adding that he has a rich political, legislative, and administrative experience.