Doctor Shrikant Eknath Shinde, son of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a Doctor, and Member of Parliament himself from the Kalyan constituency, has expressed himself wonderfully in an interview to a news channel. The reporter did try to squeeze Doctor Shinde with a few uncomfortable questions, but the answering remained with class, dignity and political maturity. Excerpts from the interview below…
MP Dr Shrikant Shinde was asked as to why is he and his father CM Eknath Shinde hold meetings till 5 am in the morning to which Doctor Shrikant Shinde said, we end our day at 5 am whereas DCM Ajit Pawar begins his day at 6 am, the only reason for this is to show that 24/7, 365 days there is someone or the other in this MahaYuti Government who is on toes continuously to serve our state.
FDI- A question was posed as to what about the FDI, what is the original picture in Maharashtra? Dr Shrikant Shinde said that 51% of the country’s FDI has come to our state and nearly 70% of the MOU’s which we have signed in our duration of 2.5 years approximately, are in implementation stages on ground in our state. The reason for the popularity of this government for the past 2.5 years under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde is only hard-work and performance. It is a challenge and in fact a debate should be held about what the MVA government did in FDI versus what the MahaYuti government did just to let people know what is the reality.
Scheme and Benefits given: Semiconductor Tower that is set up at Taloja which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister is a game changer, Dr Shrikant Shinde feels. Various schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojna, Nek Lakdi Yojna, Voyoshri Yojna, Yuva Karyaprashikshan yojna, relief to farmers, such as from Rs. 6,000 from Center and plus State government’s Rs 6,000 totalling to rs. 12,000 is a big step towards upliftment of our farmers, plus whosoever has 7.5 HP motor pumps, free electricity is provided to them. People now have realized the ‘fake narrative’ which was on the rise during the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, that the constitution will change, reservation will change, has all vanished now! Hence, we saw the Haryana result, we will win Maharashtra with a thumping majority, said Dr Shinde.
Uddhav Thackeray Rivalry-There is a public perception that there is a war between Uddhav Thackeray and CM Eknath Shinde or even the generation next Aaditya Thackeray and Dr Shrikant Shinde as to who will be the winner. Doctor Shinde feels the word ‘rivalry’ is completely rubbish. He said, it is on the work that has been done and our hard-work speaks volumes. Since 2.5 years there has been another narrative that the Shinde government is selling Mumbai to the corporates, to which Dr Shrikant Shinde said, Mumbai was in their hands (BMC) hands since last 25 years, many problems such as grave as Housing still remains unresolved, which we are trying and hoping to complete in our next phase.
Housing remains the most neglected sector by the MVA feels, Dr Shrikant Shinde.These people are raising fingers on us, lakhs of people are without a home even today in a city like Mumbai. There are people in Mumbai who have been living in Transit Camps for the last 14 years, why has not Uddhav Thackeray not heard them or given them homes who have voted for them for all these years? They take them for granted who voted for them. Where was Coastal road 2 years ago, in fact they were the ones who stopped the metro car shed, right? Rs 10,000 crores government has lost money, who will pay this? We have given Mumbai toll-free roads now. We started the Metro, Coastal Roads, Samruddhi and Atal Setu. Another example is that of Ramabai Nagar, Ghatkopar. SRA and MMRDA together have taken a resolution to provide homes to each and every slum dweller. We pushed the developer away, we are doing it as Government, similarly with BDD chawls, they said we will give you homes in Rs 50 lakhs but then we came to them and gave homes in Rs. 15 lakh. Today the houses are ready. Koliwada span widening issue where they said, we will not give a single rupee, whatever the fishermen have to do, let them do, we stepped in, we did it.
What about corruption ED and CBI cases on the MLA’s that came with you? Assets have increased, such charges are there, to which Dr Shrikant said, where have Thackeray’s reached today? During their time, Rs 100 crore vasooli was a common practice, they planted bombs under corporate homes. Why will they live here? They even went on record and said that Vaze who was the mastermind is not Laden, isn’t it? Such thought provoking statements !!
They say Law And Order is a big mess, there are killings happening, threats to actors, to which Dr Shrikant said, the same Mumbai had bomb blasts, terrorist attacks,killings, we have in fact stopped them. Baba Siddique killing we are investigating and will not leave any stone unturned.
When asked why there is no tuning between Ajit Pawar and CM Shinde, to which Dr Shinde replied, that even families have disagreements, doesn’t it? Still work is happening right? Yes, there are personal equations, but we 3 are doing a brilliant job. In the end results matter, CM and both DCM’s are working too hard and the results can be seen.
Who will become the CM, if MahaYUTI comes to power in Maharashtra if the BJP crosses 100 seats in Maharashtra, it is obvious BJP will stake its claim for the CM post, to which Dr Shinde says, there is no tension at all. If we see what we have done, we will fulfill all our responsibilities. Shinde Saab started his career as Corporator to MLA, Minister, to the CM. No one says I want to become the CM in our MahaYuti.
There is a strong Hindutva agenda by the BJP, to which Dr Shrikant responded that we are taking development agenda ahead, there is a very positive atmosphere in Maharashtra towards MAhaYUTI. There are changes in people’s lives as our agenda is only development.
Asked about Maratha reservation will not impact our campaigning as it is our government who has given them reservation. It is in courts and our intention is clear to give them 10% reservation to Maratha to which we will do it, as promised. If you ask the opposition they don’t have an answer to this. No fake narrative will work, this time. We have worked in Marathwada, Vidharbha and proven to people that this government is only pro ‘development’.
What tips do you receive from your father and what tips do you give him? My father believes only in one thing-Hardwork and we have to give 100% we have to give. There is no substitute to hard work, says baba. My father was a rickshaw driver and has become the CM only due to hard work. I don’t advise him on anything apart from his health since I am a doctor, but he has stopped listening to this advice. He has set an example and says, when you are the top we have to work round the clock.
A parting note just to say because we are only referred to as Gaddar’s or Mindhe gang– it is time that people do self-introspection as to why people left you and went away? This is not the first time it has happened. People have left them earlier too. They should do introspection. We were in power when we left and nothing is guaranteed in politics ever, yet we left. They should also think why did so many people leave Shiv Sena and join Shinde saab? Because work happens immediately, response is immediate, we are not here to break anyone now, if our government comes. CM EKnath Shinde is the most popular leader today. Connect is the most important. We are fighting 83 seats today, how many are Shivsena (UBT) fighting? At one time, they used to fight 127 seats, look where they dropped to being with Congress and NCP.
Compiled by Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
