Eknath Shinde’s ‘don’t take me lightly, I’ve toppled a govt’ warning in Maharashtra
Further signs of friction appeared in the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday saying no one should take him lightly.
Shiv Sena chief, who has been smarting from the denial of Chief Minister-ship in Maharashtra after the alliance won big, today said he had toppled a government in the state in 2022.
“In 2022, I had toppled the cart of those who took me lightly and I had installed a new government which has since conquered the hearts of people...The double engine government at the time ran at full speed. Devendra Fadnavis declared that we will win over 200 seats. We won 232 (in 2024 Assembly poll)...Do not take me lightly. The hint is enough for those who understand it. I will continue to do my work,” cautioned Shinde.
In 2022 Shinde was appointed Chief Minister after he split the Shiv Sena whose chief Uddhav Thackeray was leading the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
Shinde was talking to reporters days after Y-level security was withdrawn from 20 Sena MLAs, who had been granted police protection in 2022.
Shinde was earlier upset over being excluded from the Disaster Management Authority where rules were later amended to include him.
Prior to that, Shinde had wanted Sena leaders to become Nasik and Raigad guardian ministers—posts which Fadnavis proposed for NCP’s Aditi Tatkare (MP Sunil Tatkare’s daughter) and BJP leader Girish Mahajan.
Fadnavis had to put these appointments on hold after Sena MLAs revolted.
