Eknath Shinde: Worked as common man, so people want me back as Maharashtra CM
A day after the state BJP announced that the new Maharashtra government will be sworn in on December 5 at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde on Sunday made a strong pitch for his return to the top post, asserting that he worked as a common man, so the common man feels he should be back in the saddle.
He also sought to remind the BJP central leadership that Assembly elections were successfully fought under his leadership although he reiterated that his party will support the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“I was the people’s Chief Minister. …Actually, I used to say that I was not just the Chief Minister but the Common Man. As a common man, I understood problems and pain suffered by the people and tried to address them. Since I worked as a common man, obviously people feel that I should become the Chief Minister,” Shinde said in response to a question regarding the demand in some sections in the state that he should hold the post again.
Shinde was speaking to reporters in his native village of Dare in Satara district, where he spent the last two days after meeting Shah on Thursday. After reaching Satara, he had complained of fever and throat pain and was put on saline on Saturday. Later on Sunday, he left for Thane.
Shinde also sought to remind the BJP central leadership that the Assembly elections were fought under his leadership. “The kind of success that the Mahayuti Government has secured has never been achieved by anyone in the past….The Assembly elections were fought under my leadership. Both the Deputy Chief Ministers and other colleagues were with me. We secured a big victory,” he said. “However, there should be no confusion… I held a press conference last week and clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will take the decision regarding the Chief Minister’s post. My party Shiv Sena and myself will support their decision… There should be no ifs and buts in anyone’s mind.”
On whether the Shiv Sena had demanded the Home portfolio, Shinde said, “All these things will be discussed. Through discussion, we will find a solution to various issues. Several issues will be resolved. People have elected us…We have made promises to the people and we will have to live up to those promises. Therefore, it is not important as to what ministries we will get and what they (allies BJP and NCP) will get…We will do what we can for the people of Maharashtra.”
Asked whether his son Shrikant Shinde will be made the Deputy Chief Minister, he said, “Discussions are still underway. The media keeps discussing it…We have already discussed the issues with Amit Shah. Now, the three allies will hold a meeting where we will discuss various issues… During our meeting, we will take an appropriate decision. We will take a decision in the interest of Maharashtra.”
