Shinde and Thackeray Clash Over Mumbai’s Political Future

Political tensions escalated in Maharashtra on March 11, 2024, as a verbal confrontation erupted between Eknath Shinde, the Deputy Chief Minister, and Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT). This clash was ignited by Thackeray’s recent comments, where he labeled Union Home Minister Amit Shah an “anaconda” intent on “swallowing Mumbai.”

In response to Thackeray’s remarks, Shinde accused him of “devouring Mumbai’s treasury” during his time in office. Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Shinde stated, “Yesterday, Amit Shah came and provided two boats to fishermen in Mumbai for deep-sea fishing. Many more such boats will be distributed by the central government. The Prime Minister is also coming tomorrow. He talks about an anaconda? He himself is the anaconda who sat on Mumbai’s tijori (treasury). The anaconda’s stomach is never full—it devoured Mumbai’s funds, took over plots of land, ate patients’ khichdi, and pocketed money even from body bags.”

Shinde’s comments reflect a broader strategy he claims the ruling coalition employs, suggesting that the Opposition resorts to inflammatory language during election periods. He emphasized the progress made since the formation of the Mahayuti government, citing improvements in infrastructure such as concrete roads, beautification projects, and the ongoing Metro work that he argues were stalled by Thackeray’s administration.

Thackeray, addressing his supporters in Mumbai, accused the ruling BJP of engaging in “vote theft” and claimed that democracy had been turned upside down. “In democracy, voters choose governments, but today governments are choosing voters,” he stated. He called for a legal case against the Election Commissioner, alleging corrupt practices involving fraudulent voters.

The former Chief Minister also criticized the BJP for prioritizing the construction of a new state office near Churchgate station while neglecting cultural projects, such as the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan and Marathi Theatre Gallery, previously approved by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

In a rebuttal, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, president of the BJP in Maharashtra, characterized Thackeray as “depressed” following several electoral defeats. He remarked, “Uddhav ji should see himself in the mirror because he is a python who lies idle and hisses at others’ hard work.” Bawankule further suggested that Thackeray was aware of his party’s declining prospects in the upcoming local body elections.

The exchange intensified as Thackeray continued his critique, highlighting the BJP’s failure to embody the principles of self-reliance it promotes through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He accused the BJP of relying on breaking apart parties and “stealing votes” to secure victories. Thackeray labeled the BJP as a “bogus gang of self-proclaimed patriots and petty thieves” that exploits religious divisions for electoral gain.

Thackeray also reiterated his concerns regarding the integrity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He warned that if the BJP retains power after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, “the Election Commissioners will be booked and made to face trial.”

As Maharashtra’s political landscape remains fraught with tension, the exchanges between Shinde and Thackeray underscore the deep divisions within the state’s governance and the ongoing battle for public support ahead of crucial elections.