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Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Eknath Shinde's Guru Purnima dash to Delhi: Is embattled Sena leader seeking reinforcements?
In the 2022 Marathi film Dharmaveer, widely seen as a cinematic effort to shape Eknath Shinde's public perception ahead of his rebellion from the Shiv Sena and eventual rise to Maharashtra Chief Minister, a key scene unfolds on the day of Guru Purnima, a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to honouring one's mentor. In the film, Shinde and his mentor Anand Dighe are shown tracking down Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray at a private retreat. What follows is an emotional moment with Dighe washing Thackeray's feet, applying sandalwood paste, and offering flowers as a gesture of reverence to the Sena founder. Moments later, Shinde's character performs the same act for Dighe, visually positioning himself not just as a devoted follower but as Dighe's rightful heir in the Shiv Sena legacy. Fast forward to 2025. Deputy CM Shinde marked the eve of Guru Purnima on Wednesday with a visit to New Delhi, reportedly to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, now viewed as his political patron. The visit comes at a time when Shinde finds himself on increasingly shaky ground. The potential reunion between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is threatening to revive the original Thackeray brand; the friction between the Sena and the state BJP leadership over power sharing is becoming more pronounced; and internal dissent, including MLA indiscipline, is beginning to spill out into the open. Against this backdrop, Shinde's meeting with Shah is widely seen as a strategic move to reassert his authority and reinforce his standing within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti coalition, amid concerns he is being marginalised in the state's shifting political landscape. After his dramatic split with Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022, Shinde experienced an unexpected political ascent, becoming the CM with BJP support in a move that surprised many, especially since Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP's top state leader, was widely expected to return to the post. Fadnavis settled for Deputy CM, reportedly after the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah. Initially perceived as a pliable figurehead, Shinde gradually shed that image. The once-low-profile leader grew in stature, leveraging his position to carve out an independent political persona, which didn't sit well with the BJP's state leadership. Yet the alliance persisted, as the BJP continued to use Shinde to fracture the Shiv Sena and diminish Uddhav Thackeray's influence. However, the BJP's commanding performance in the 2024 Assembly elections altered the power equation. With Fadnavis reinstated as the CM, Shinde's leverage within the alliance has diminished significantly. Shinde now finds himself increasingly marginalised, from being denied key portfolios in the Cabinet to facing mounting discontent within his party. His own MLAs have been complaining, particularly over a lack of funds from the Finance ministry, which is controlled by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the NCP. These sentiments have only been compounded by the growing closeness between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. The prospect of Marathi political consolidation, through a Uddhav-Raj partnership, poses a direct threat to Shinde's long-standing claim of being the 'true inheritor of Bal Thackeray's legacy'. With both son and nephew of the Shiv Sena founder signalling unity, Shinde faces the risk of being increasingly viewed as an outsider or usurper, particularly by the Marathi-speaking electorate. The pressures faced by Shinde became evident recently when, in a seemingly flustered moment, he unexpectedly shouted 'Jai Gujarat' in front of Shah during an event in Pune – just a day before the joint rally of the two Thackeray cousins, which projected a message of Marathi unity and pride. Adding to Shinde's woes are controversies involving his MLAs and ministers, raising questions about his control over the party. The most high-profile of these incidents involved Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping a canteen employee at the MLAs' hostel in Mumbai, complaining of stale food. Though Sena colleague and Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam initially said the police cannot take any action against Gaikwad without a complaint against him, Fadnavis on Friday said there was no need for the police to initiate a probe. Later on Friday, Mumbai police registered a non-cognisable complaint against Gaikwad. Meanwhile, state Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, a close Shinde associate, is facing multiple allegations that his son was illegally allotted a 21,275-sq-m plot in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation's (MIDC). The Shirsat family is also under fire for allegedly manipulating the auction of a prominent hotel in Aurangabad. On Thursday, Shirsat received a notice from the Income Tax Department over a sharp rise in his declared assets between 2019 and 2024. Shirsat admitted to receiving the notice and also made a remark suggesting Shinde's son and Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde had received a similar notice, though he quickly retracted the claim. Most recently, on Friday, Shirsat landed in new controversy after a video, in which he is seen with a bag full purportedly of cash in his home, went viral. Shirsat, however, claimed the bag contained only clothes. 'The video is from the bedroom of my house and I am sitting on a bed while unpacking the bag after coming from a tour. Have I lost my mind to keep cash in a bag?' Shirsat said. Against this backdrop, Shinde's unscheduled visit to Delhi, many believe, was a defensive move to lobby his case with the BJP top brass, and insulate himself from the ramifications of a possible Thackeray alliance and the latent hostility of the state BJP leadership. The Shiv Sena has downplayed the visit. 'We don't know exactly who Eknath Shinde met in Delhi, but there's nothing wrong with meeting leaders there if it's for the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra,' said Industries Minister and Sena leader Uday Samant. But the Opposition has taken swipes at Shinde over his Delhi visit. NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar suggested Shinde's Delhi visit was linked to 'internal sabotage' within the Mahayuti. 'Some leaders from Eknath Shinde's party have received Income-Tax notices. Shinde may suspect an internal conspiracy,' Pawar said. 'Ajit Pawar's people don't receive notices, but Shinde's people do. That's worth analysing. It now appears the BJP is trying to cut Shinde's influence ahead of the Mumbai civic elections,' he added.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde announces grand memorial for mentor Anand Dighe in Thane
THANE: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday night announced construction of a grand memorial, including a king-size statue of his mentor Anand Dighe in Thane city. The announcement came nearly three years after Shinde took over the Shiv Sena leadership in 2022. Shinde described the project as a tribute to Dighe, who played a key role in establishing the Sena's stronghold in Thane and surrounding areas. 'The Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Tower will be rebuilt at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan near Talao Pali in old Thane, featuring a king-size statue of Dighe in a 43-metre tall tower. Dighe and Thane are synonymous, and his contributions to the development of the city and efforts taken to ingrain the Sena in the region cannot be forgotten,' Shinde said during the inauguration of several Thane municipal projects. The project, which will also include a few revamp works of the ground where the structure stands and costing Rs 15 crore, is expected to be completed by April 2026, civic officials said. In addition, Shinde launched the beautification of the west side area outside Thane railway station to improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow. The Rs 4 crore project involves renovating rickshaw and taxi stands, upgrading footpaths, installing information boards, and adding zebra crossings and lane markings, with completion slated for December 2025.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde announces memorial with king-size statue of mentor Anand Dighe in Thane
Thane: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday night announced construction of a grand memorial, including a king-size statue of his mentor Anand Dighe, in the city. The announcement came nearly three years after Shinde took over the Shiv Sena leadership in 2022. Shinde described the project as a tribute to Dighe, who played a key role in establishing a Shiv Sena stronghold in Thane and surrounding areas. "The Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Tower will be rebuilt at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan near Talao Pali in old Thane, featuring a king-size statue of Dighe in a 43-metre-tall tower. Dighe and Thane are synonymous, and his contributions to the development of the city and efforts taken to ingrain the Sena in the region cannot be forgotten," Shinde said during the inauguration of several Thane municipal projects. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The project, which will also include a few revamp works of the ground and costing Rs 15 crore, is expected to be completed by April, civic officials said. Shinde launched the beautification of the west side area outside Thane railway station to improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow. The Rs 4 crore project involves renovating rickshaw and taxi stands, upgrading footpaths, installing information boards, and adding zebra crossings and lane markings, with completion slated for Dec.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shinde: MSRTC staffers to now receive 53% DA
Mumbai: All Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees will receive a 53% dearness allowance on their basic salary starting from this month, up from the previous 46%, announced deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday. Additionally, employees will have the option to choose between the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana or Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Medical Reimbursement Scheme, along with implementing an accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 crore. Furthermore, retired employees will receive a free travel pass for 12 months instead of nine, Shinde said. He conducted a meeting with representatives from various MSRTC organisations at Sahyadri guest house. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik and MLA Sadabhau Khot, along with additional chief secretary (transport) Sanjay Sethi, MSRTC managing director Madhav Kusekar, among other officials and politicians, were present at the meeting. Shinde emphasised that the ST bus service, which serves as a lifeline for the public, should provide the expected quality service. He stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in buses and bus stations, including restrooms and waiting areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The deputy CM also called for the initiation of cargo services through ST buses and suggested transforming bus stations into bus ports to help MSRTC overcome its losses. During the meeting, representatives from the organisations presented various demands, including increasing MSRTC's revenue and fuel savings. Currently, employees receive a 46% dearness allowance on their basic salary, which will be increased to 53% from June. Decisions regarding the arrears of the dearness allowance will be made based on the availability of funds, Shinde said. Under the combined scheme of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, employees are provided with cashless medical benefits up to Rs 5 lakh. The Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Medical Reimbursement Scheme has been introduced, offering employees the option to choose one of these plans. A senior official said: "MSRTC, whose salary accounts are with the State Bank of India, will be covered by insurance in case of accidents, whether on duty or not. In the event of a personal accident resulting in death, a cover of Rs 1 crore will be provided, Rs 1 crore for total disability, and up to Rs 80 lakh for partial disability." The free travel pass for a year for retired employees and their spouses on ST services will be extended to approximately 35,000 retired employees. Mumbai: All Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees will receive a 53% dearness allowance on their basic salary starting from this month, up from the previous 46%, announced deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday. Additionally, employees will have the option to choose between the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana or Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Medical Reimbursement Scheme, along with implementing an accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 crore. Furthermore, retired employees will receive a free travel pass for 12 months instead of nine, Shinde said. He conducted a meeting with representatives from various MSRTC organisations at Sahyadri guest house. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik and MLA Sadabhau Khot, along with additional chief secretary (transport) Sanjay Sethi, MSRTC managing director Madhav Kusekar, among other officials and politicians, were present at the meeting. Shinde emphasised that the ST bus service, which serves as a lifeline for the public, should provide the expected quality service. He stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in buses and bus stations, including restrooms and waiting areas. The deputy CM also called for the initiation of cargo services through ST buses and suggested transforming bus stations into bus ports to help MSRTC overcome its losses. During the meeting, representatives from the organisations presented various demands, including increasing MSRTC's revenue and fuel savings. Currently, employees receive a 46% dearness allowance on their basic salary, which will be increased to 53% from June. Decisions regarding the arrears of the dearness allowance will be made based on the availability of funds, Shinde said. Under the combined scheme of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, employees are provided with cashless medical benefits up to Rs 5 lakh. The Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Medical Reimbursement Scheme has been introduced, offering employees the option to choose one of these plans. A senior official said: "MSRTC, whose salary accounts are with the State Bank of India, will be covered by insurance in case of accidents, whether on duty or not. In the event of a personal accident resulting in death, a cover of Rs 1 crore will be provided, Rs 1 crore for total disability, and up to Rs 80 lakh for partial disability." The free travel pass for a year for retired employees and their spouses on ST services will be extended to approximately 35,000 retired employees.
