Mumbai: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who was sulking since he lost out on the chief minister’s post to Devendra Fadnavis after the assembly polls, finally indicated that he came to terms with his diminished status.
“I have never been desperate for the chair. I received a lot and am happy I could serve the people,” said Shinde. He also said, “Self-respect is more important than the chair.” He was speaking at his first major rally after the polls at BKC ground on the occasion of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray‘s birth anniversary.
Shinde said that ‘DCM’ stood for ‘Dedicated to the Common Man’. “People used to say CM stands for chief minister. I used to say it stands for Common Man. Now, Devendra Fadnavis is chief minister and I am DCM. I say this stands for Dedicated to the Common Man. Finally, it is the Common Man who is supreme,” he said.
He indicated that the three parties in Mahayuti may contest upcoming local body polls as a team. “We will 200% win local body polls from municipal corporations to gram sabhas. It is because of our hard work for last 2.5 years. Now Devendra Fadnavis and his team will work 2-3 times harder,” he said.
He took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT)’s plans to contest local body polls solo. “They say they will contest the polls by themselves. But for that, they need strong wrists. They cannot sit at home and contest elections – and say you fight and we will preserve our clothes.” He added, “To win elections, you need to be on the ground and mingle with party workers.”
Shinde emphasised that it was his Shiv Sena which was the real inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy and had also received the seal of approval from voters. “We got the party’s name and symbol. But we also got the seal of approval from voters. The SS (UBT) won only 20 seats while we won 60 seats. They were unmasked by voters,” he said.
“We will never compromise with the ideals of Bal Thackeray. See the state of those who did that. They are left nowhere. With the results, the voters gave validation to our party,” said Shinde.
He called upon party workers to expand the party. “Balasaheb always said the most important post is of the Shiv Sainik. This is more important than being a minister.”
Shinde was greeted by a group of women on stage, who paid homage to him. “To be called Ladka Bhau (beloved brother) is more important than any post,” he said.
Mumbai: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who was sulking since he lost out on the chief minister’s post to Devendra Fadnavis after the assembly polls, finally indicated that he came to terms with his diminished status.
“I have never been desperate for the chair. I received a lot and am happy I could serve the people,” said Shinde. He also said, “Self-respect is more important than the chair.” He was speaking at his first major rally after the polls at BKC ground on the occasion of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s birth anniversary.
Shinde said that ‘DCM’ stood for ‘Dedicated to the Common Man’. “People used to say CM stands for chief minister. I used to say it stands for Common Man. Now, Devendra Fadnavis is chief minister and I am DCM. I say this stands for Dedicated to the Common Man. Finally, it is the Common Man who is supreme,” he said.
He indicated that the three parties in Mahayuti may contest upcoming local body polls as a team. “We will 200% win local body polls from municipal corporations to gram sabhas. It is because of our hard work for last 2.5 years. Now Devendra Fadnavis and his team will work 2-3 times harder,” he said.
He took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT)’s plans to contest local body polls solo. “They say they will contest the polls by themselves. But for that, they need strong wrists. They cannot sit at home and contest elections – and say you fight and we will preserve our clothes.” He added, “To win elections, you need to be on the ground and mingle with party workers.”
Shinde emphasised that it was his Shiv Sena which was the real inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy and had also received the seal of approval from voters. “We got the party’s name and symbol. But we also got the seal of approval from voters. The SS (UBT) won only 20 seats while we won 60 seats. They were unmasked by voters,” he said.
“We will never compromise with the ideals of Bal Thackeray. See the state of those who did that. They are left nowhere. With the results, the voters gave validation to our party,” said Shinde.
He called upon party workers to expand the party. “Balasaheb always said the most important post is of the Shiv Sainik. This is more important than being a minister.”
Shinde was greeted by a group of women on stage, who paid homage to him. “To be called Ladka Bhau (beloved brother) is more important than any post,” he said.