MUMBAI: Though Mahayuti was dented badly in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha polls, Eknath Shinde is banking on his welfare schemes and the emphasis on infrastructure projects to win a second term for the alliance.
Shiv Sena is contesting 85 of the 288 seats, an arrangement that Shinde said he is satisfied with. “More than the seats Shiv Sena gets, we are working to get Mahayuti back in govt,” he told TOI in an interview.
With Mahayuti not naming any CM face for the assembly poll campaign, Shinde said “there is no lobbying for the post” within the alliance. Regarding a pre-poll understanding with Raj Thackeray‘s MNS not working out, Shinde said Sena had offered the Bhandup seat to Raj’s son Amit, but MNS did not respond.
Shinde further said a fake narrative about a threat to the Constitution worked for the Opposition in the Lok Sabha polls but it was no longer getting any traction. He was confident that the performance of the govt, its quick decision-making and sops like Ladki Bahin will help the Mahayuti get a comfortable majority.
Excerpts from an exclusive interview:
Q: As the campaign starts, it seems the friction between Shiv Sena and MNS has increased. What exactly is the issue?
A: MNS had spoken to us about Bhandup. We have anyway not put up a candidate against Bala Nandgaonkar in Sewri. They said Amit Thackeray will contest from Bhandup, we took that into consideration. I had spoken to them and asked them what their plan was. But they told me you first decide things for Mahayuti and then we will see. But later they directly announced their candidates. Then I spoke to Sada Sarvankar. He told me that if there is a direct fight, Amit can’t win from Mahim; if there is a triangular fight then one of the two will win and Amit has a chance. I told Sarvankar to meet Raj but Raj didn’t meet him.
Q: Shiv Sena is now fighting 85 seats. Are you satisfied with these numbers? Sena has also given tickets to 12 imports from the BJP.
A: Yes, 100%. More than the seats Shiv Sena gets, we are working to get MahaYuti back in govt. There is nothing like imported candidates. In elections, we are working as MahaYuti. We have decided things only on elective merit, symbol and candidate. Wherever the candidate is strong, we have had to change the symbol. Development is our agenda, more than seeing what we are getting for ourselves.
Q: Who is going to be the CM of the Mahayuti?
A: There is no lobbying for the CM’s post in the MahaYuti. Getting the MahaYuti back into power is our only priority. We are fighting and winning based on our work and welfare schemes. We are working as a team. So there is no clamour for the CM’s post. Becoming CM is not my target. The MahaYuti will have a very good strike rate and it will come to power with full majority.
Q: MVA is alleging misgovernance and corruption in MahaYuti govt A: It is the MVA that shut down projects…the bullet train, the Metro car shed.
They slowed down the coastal road, Atal Setu. They launched an inquiry into the Jal Yukt Shivar programme. They also slowed down the Samruddhi Expressway. In 2.5 years we got all this on track.
Q: But the main allegation against your govt is that industries went out of Maharashtra. Even the Economic Advisory Council report shows a slowdown here.
A:This is again a fake narrative. Lakhs of crores of rupees have come in as investment. In India, 52% has come to Maharashtra alone in FDI. We are number one in GDP and even in start-ups. The EAC report shows things that happened over 10 years, not just 2 years. You should give us time. We did so much in 2 years, brought industries upto Gadchiroli, got textile parks in Amravati. Top multinationals are coming up along the Samruddhi Ex pressway. We will revive and build an International Financial Services Center in Mumbai.
Q: There are allegations that the state is heading into financial bankruptcy.
A: All our welfare schemes are very sound and sustainable. We are following all norms…less than 25% of GDP. We are spending only 17.5% of GDP. We are also below the 3% limit of Fiscal Responsibilities and Budget Management norms. We have followed all norms of the Centre and RBI. We have not given hollow and fake promises like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh. The ladki bahin yojana has hit the MVA badly. It is such a hit that they are attacking it. But we are making it Rs 2,100 per month. Those who eat with golden spoons don’t know the value of Rs 1,500. We have come from poverty, I know how my mother ran the house.
Q: What about reports of a tussle between you and the two DCMs…there were reports that Ajit Pawar even walked out of a cabinet meeting?
A: I’m satisfied that both DCMs supported and promot ed all the schemes we launched. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and even I have experience of working in the govt. All schemes were launched with consensus. There was no credit war. As CM I am the chief of the state, so I launch schemes but the DCMs never oppose anything.
Q: The MVA has also launched their own guarantee cards?
A: There is no guarantee of them coming to power. So who will take their guarantee card seriously? Why didn’t they do this in 2.5 years? We will give food and housing to all. It will be universal for all. We will also give an electric bill waiver. This will benefit the middle class and tax payers also.
Q: The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has come under criticism.
A: The DRP agreement and tender was done under the MVA govt. So it is they who did it, they removed the other company Seclink and gave the contract to Adani. So now why are they opposing it? They wanted to give homes only to eligible people but we are giving housing to all.
Q: There was a ‘Save the Constitution’ theme or narrative in the Lok Sabha polls. Do you think it still has an impact?
A: That narrative is broken. There was a ‘400 paar’ slogan and then this fake narrative percolated. It penetrated the grass roots, many NGOs were used for this. Dalits, Muslims and tribals were told their reservation will go. The constitution is not a factor in this election. This narrative can’t be sold a second time. Development is the only factor.
Q: The EC has removed DGP Rashmi Shukla. Don’t you think this is a setback for your govt?
A: It is part of the poll process. EC has taken a decision and we accept it. MVA doesn’t even believe in the EC.
Q: Aaditya Thackeray said some of your MLAs and even ministers were willing to apologise and go back?
A: Actually, we have closed the gates for now due to elections, later you will see who goes where. Lakhs of people have come. People go with those who stand behind party workers.
