Maharashtra local body elections: Stone pelting on Sena candidates in Pune; won't get scared by such politics, says Shinde

Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the Shiv Sena would perform strongly in Pune. File Pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday criticised the alleged stone-pelting incident targeting Shiv Sena candidates in Pune during their campaign for the January 15 Maharashtra local body elections, reported the PTI.

He said such acts of intimidation would not scare him or his party workers.

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Eknath Shinde's party colleague Pramod Nana Bhangire alleged that stones were thrown at him and fellow candidate Sarika Pawar late on Wednesday evening in Kale Padal area of Hadapsar. Both are contesting from Ward No. 41.

According to Bhangire, Pawar suffered a minor injury in the incident, while the windscreen of their car was damaged.

Warning to Opposition parties

Addressing a rally in Katraj, Shinde referred to the incident and warned opposition parties against what he described as "cowardly acts".

He said Shiv Sena workers would not be intimidated, adding that the party stands firmly with its workers and follows the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.

‘50 khokhe' slogan mentioned

Shinde also spoke about a separate incident in Mumbai, where BJP workers allegedly raised the ‘50 khokhe' slogan against the Shiv Sena. The slogan, which refers to an allegation of bribes worth Rs 50 crore, was coined by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction after the Shiv Sena split in June 2022.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has repeatedly alleged that Shinde and other rebel leaders were paid to break away from the party.

Shinde downplays slogan controversy

Downplaying the issue, Shinde said the Shiv Sena and BJP are contesting the Mumbai civic polls together and are putting up a united and strong fight.

Shinde expressed confidence that the Shiv Sena would perform strongly in Pune, even though it is contesting the elections independently.

"Do not take Shiv Sena lightly. It follows the Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray," he said.

Political alliances highlighted

The BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting the civic polls in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad separately, while Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party has formed an alliance with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).

Swipe at Uddhav Thackeray

Taking a dig at former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said some leaders consider themselves owners of power, but the real owners are the people.

"It is the citizens who decide whom to elect and whom to remove," he added.

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(with PTI inputs)