20 June,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde greets party workers at the Shiv Sena’s 60th Foundation Day event at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon East on Friday. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, in a veiled attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, said that inheriting a party through blood relations is not enough and that leadership must be earned through work and commitment. His remarks come at a time when the battle over the legacy of Shiv Sena and its founder, Bal Thackeray, continues to dominate Maharashtra politics.
Addressing the party on its Foundation Day at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon, Shinde stated that his agenda is not the chair (power), but the welfare of the state and its citizens.
Referring to reports of a rift within the Mahayuti, especially between him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shinde outrightly rejected them. "Our bonding is very strong. We are both working to take the state ahead," Shinde added. The deputy chief minister also exhibited confidence about winning all seats in the coming state Legislative Council elections.
In a veiled attack on Thackeray, Shinde claimed that in his party, bringing common and local workers to the top was the goal, and merely coming from a political leader's family was not a qualification for getting a party post. "When it came to making ministers in the Union cabinet, party MPs unanimously urged that Dr Shrikant Shinde [his son] be a minister in the Modi government. "But Shrikant said a chance should be given to other party members and not him because he is the son of the party head," Shinde added.
Shinde claimed, "Defections are happening in the Shiv Sena (UBT) because of disappointment with the party leadership." He argued that the exodus was not the result of poaching attempts but a reflection of growing discontent within Thackeray's camp.
Shinde, during his speech, hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dedication and for taking the nation to the next level. "The entire world is praising Modi-ji," Shinde added.
There was speculation that the six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs would attend the Shinde Sena event. But, according to reports, none of them was seen on the dais or at the venue.
