Mumbai: It’s a double win for Eknath Shinde. Not only has the chief minister won his seat of Kopri-Pachpakhadi, but his Shiv Sena faction has emerged as the second largest party in the state of Maharashtra — with 55 seats.
Following the win, Shinde acknowledged the people’s mandate, expressing his gratitude to the people for giving a thumping majority and a landslide victory to the Mahayuti. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to my beloved sisters, farmers, youths, and all segments who have voted for us. This is a reflection of the work we have done in the last two-and-a-half years.”
Speaking to reporters Saturday evening, the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis said the Mahayuti leaders had been instructed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the Chief Minister would be selected after a consultation between all. “There will be no dispute about who will be the Chief Minister... it was decided from day one that, after the election, the leaders of the three parties will sit together and decide this,” he said. “The decision will be acceptable to everyone, there is no dispute on this.”
Meanwhile, senior leaders said that there is no doubt CM Shinde has led the alliance from the forefront and was quick in making decisions which has benefited the MahaYuti alliance in this election. Moreover, strong support from PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah made it easier to win the election. “If talking about who will be the next CM will only be decided by top leaders of MahaYuti. But one cannot deny current CM Shinde has worked towards the progress of Maharashtra not only but also strengthen the alliance by having fruitful discussions before taking any step so that it doesn’t get backfired,” he said.
The win has also solidified Shinde’s position in Maharashtra politics, with many stating that he is now the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy. His deputy, Devendra Fadnavis went one step ahead and said, “People have given their mandate and have accepted Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar has got the legitimacy of NCP.”
Shiv Sena contested a total of 81 seats. As per the Election Commission, of this, they are ahead in 55 seats. This gives the Shinde a winning strike rate of 67.9 per cent.
Eknath Shinde is also one of the brains behind the popular Ladki Bahin Yojana, which has been credited for the MahaYuti alliance’s thumping victory. The scheme ensures a monthly support of Rs 1,500 to underprivileged women, aged 21 to 65. Many poll pundits believe that it is this very scheme that led to 53 lakh more women voting in these elections compared to 2019, and their voting percentage rising by six percentage points.
Moreover, Shinde has been hailed for his hands-on approach as the chief minister of the state. He also has been able to secure the trust of the BJP. Last month, when a reporter even asked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the CM face of the Mahayuti, the BJP leader pointed to Shinde.
As chief minister, Shinde has also been credited for being accessible. People from his faction as well as the Mahayuti alliance have said that the doors of Varsha, the official residence of Maharashtra chief minister, have always been open to all.
Shinde has also held his own in the Mahayuti alliance. He’s driven a hard bargain during the Lok Sabha and Assembly election seat negotiations, ensuring that his faction isn’t run over by Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, the two bigger leaders. As one Sena leader told the Indian Express, “Shinde has successfully made sure his people get justice and are rehabilitated which helped him ensure support for him among his party leaders remains intact and the party is strengthened.”
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