Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has received an electric shock of 440 volts after the historic defeat of MVA in Maharashtra elections and that is why he making senseless remarks and accusations, said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday.
Shinde said that people from all parties were keen to join Shiv Sena and there should be no surprise if some big names join the party.
“People want elected representatives who work and perform, and not those who keep bickering and make noise," said Shinde. He added that late Balasaheb Thackeray wanted shiv sainiks who did 80 percent social work and 20 percent politics and he was working as per instructions of the late leader.
In a major political development, a grand event at Muktagiri witnessed the defection of thousands of workers from Sena (UBT) and Congress to Shinde's camp. Prominent leaders from Washim, Karanja, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Akola, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan joined the party in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Shinde, further solidifying Shiv Sena’s growing influence across Maharashtra.
The move, orchestrated under the leadership of MLA Bhavana Gawli, saw key opposition leaders embracing Shiv Sena’s ideology. Sena (UBT) Akola District Chief Vijay Malokar, Congress state secretary Dilip Bhojraj, Congress Washim district general secretary Sachin Patil, Sena (UBT) Kerala State Chief N. Bhuvanchandran and Youth Congress City President Praful Gavai were among the leaders to embrace Shinde's party today. Additionally, hundreds of workers from rural regions such as Malgaon Taluka, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Akola, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan joined Shiv Sena, marking a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Reacting to the opposition’s response to the election results, Shinde took aim at Rahul Gandhi’s attempts to deflect blame: “Rahul Gandhi is rattled because he sees an impending defeat in Delhi. Instead of accepting the people’s mandate with humility, he is making baseless allegations. Maharashtra’s voters have responded decisively by wiping out the opposition and ensuring a landslide for Mahayuti.”
Shinde further emphasized that the results reflect the people’s demand for action-oriented leadership: “Shiv Sena stands for 80% social work and 20% politics. The people have rejected leaders who rely on accusations and rhetoric. Instead, they have chosen those who deliver real work. Some opposition leaders, after losing, conveniently blame EVMs, the Election Commission, and even the judiciary. They called for a ‘vote in the people’s court,’ and Maharashtra has given them a clear verdict.”
Responding to questions about the so-called “Operation Tiger,” Shinde remarked: “As Deputy Chief Minister, I am in touch with MLAs across party lines because people want development, not empty promises. Shiv Sena is the party of the tiger—wearing a tiger’s skin doesn’t make you a tiger; you need the heart of one.” With a growing base of grassroots support and strategic leadership, Shiv Sena continues to expand its reach, reinforcing its strength ahead of future electoral battles.
