Eknath Shinde Sena projects him as Chief Minister face for Maharashtra polls

During the rally on Friday, Shinde Sena MLAs voiced their support for Eknath Shinde as the chief ministerial candidate, a sentiment that was enthusiastically welcomed by the party workers.

In Short

• Maharashtra polls on November 20, Shiv Sena holds rally in Mumbai
• Eknath Shinde's son Shrikant praises his dedication, leadership
• Party leaders back Eknath Shinde as chief ministerial candidate

With little over a month to go for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is jostling to project him as the chief ministerial face of the Mahayuti alliance comprising Shiv Sena, BJP, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP.

The Shiv Sena camp led by Eknath Shinde held a crucial meeting with its Mumbai office bearers at Shivaji Mandir in Dadar. The meeting was centred on strategising for the upcoming elections and maximising the party's stronghold in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, addressing the gathering, praised his father Eknath Shinde's relentless dedication, stating that the Chief Minister has worked tirelessly for the past two years without taking a single day off. According to Shrikant Shinde, this unwavering commitment has strengthened the party, attracting new supporters even after the party's split.

"Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is a man of his word, and that’s why not a single person has left the party. Instead, more people have joined us," MP Shinde remarked, emphasising the growing strength of the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde’s leadership.

He further appealed to party workers to give their best efforts over the next month to ensure the defeat of Uddhav Thackeray (UBT) faction in the upcoming elections.

Shrikant Shinde projected Eknath Shinde as the chief ministerial face of the Mahayuti alliance, adding, "If he has worked so hard over the last two years, imagine what he can accomplish with our support over the next five years.”

He also took a swipe at former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, alleging that the official residence, Varsha Bungalow, had become inaccessible to the public during his tenure. However, since Eknath Shinde assumed office, the bungalow has once again been open to the public, serving the welfare of the people.

In his speech, Shrikant Shinde urged local unit chiefs and coordinators to reach out to community organisations, including Buddha Vihars and local dharma gurus, to counter the opposition narrative put forward by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance during the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Shrikant Shinde told party members, "If we work tirelessly for a month, CM Eknath Shinde will work for the betterment of our people and the state for the next five years."

During the rally, Shinde Sena MLAs Dilip Lande and Prakash Surve also voiced their support for Eknath Shinde as the chief ministerial candidate, a sentiment that was enthusiastically welcomed by the party workers.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set to take place in a single phase on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.