Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has recently delivered a series of strong statements praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi while simultaneously criticizing Uddhav Thackeray and Rahul Gandhi on issues ranging from Hindutva to national security. Shinde's remarks, often made at public rallies and party events, highlight the ongoing political fault lines and ideological clashes within Maharashtra's political landscape.
Shinde has consistently lauded PM Modi as a strong leader and a defender of the nation. He has credited Modi with fulfilling the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray by building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and removing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Shinde also praised Modi and the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, calling it a strong response to terrorism and commending the Prime Minister for instilling a renewed sense of confidence and self-respect in India. He asserted that Modi's leadership has elevated India's global standing, noting that "Now India talks and the world listens," attributing this to Modi's hard work.
In contrast, Shinde has been a vocal critic of Uddhav Thackeray, particularly regarding his stance on Hindutva and his decision to form an alliance with the Congress party. Shinde has accused Thackeray of abandoning Balasaheb's ideology for the Chief Minister's post and of sitting "on the lap of those who abuse Hinduism and insult Swatantryaveer Savarkar". He questioned Thackeray's commitment to Hindutva, asking why his "tongue hesitates" when calling Balasaheb Thackeray a Hindu Hridayasamrat. Shinde also criticized Thackeray for remaining "silent" when V.D. Savarkar was allegedly insulted. He has further alleged that Thackeray betrayed the Marathi people by joining hands with the Congress and NCP in 2019.
Rahul Gandhi has also been a target of Shinde's criticism, especially concerning his remarks about V.D. Savarkar and his comments on national security. Shinde has condemned Gandhi's "repeated insults" against Savarkar and announced that his party, along with the BJP, would launch a 'Savarkar Gaurav Yatra' to celebrate Savarkar's contributions and criticize Gandhi. Shinde has also accused Gandhi of "speaking in the tongue of Pakistan," for allegedly "doubting the bravery of soldiers" and questioning the number of Indian missiles shot down. He suggested that Shiv Sena (UBT) should have hosted their Dussehra Melava in Pakistan for criticizing Operation Sindoor.
Shinde's attacks on Thackeray have also extended to questioning his absence during the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. He slammed Uddhav and his faction for remaining silent when V.D. Savarkar was insulted and accused Uddhav of joining hands with those who opposed the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. These statements came in response to BJP leader Chandrakant Patil's remarks claiming that not a single Shiv Sena worker was present near the Babri Masjid when it was brought down.
These pronouncements are often made in the context of upcoming elections, with Shinde using these platforms to rally his supporters and highlight the achievements of his government and the central government led by PM Modi. He often contrasts his government's actions with those of the previous UPA government, particularly in areas like assistance to sugarcane farmers. Shinde's narrative emphasizes development and progress under the current administration, contrasting it with what he portrays as inaction and ideological compromises by his political rivals.
