Eknath Shinde mocks Uddhav faction over Balasaheb Thackeray video: 'Fake people do fake things'

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a sharp dig at the Uddhav Thackeray faction, saying, “Instead of making fake videos mimicking Balasaheb Thackeray’s voice, if his true ideals had been upheld, no one would have left.” His remarks came as former Pune Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, along with his supporters, officially joined Shiv Sena in Shinde’s presence. 

Senior leaders including Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Dr Neelam Gorhe, Minister Uday Samant, MLA Sharad Sonawane, MLA Prakash Surve, and former MP Anandrao Adsul were also present at the event. 

Shinde welcomed Dhangekar, saying, “He has once again embraced the bow and arrow and taken up the saffron flag. He is a well-known and respected leader in Pune, known for his dedication and hard work. He has served as a corporator for 25 years, including 10 years with Shiv Sena. Now that he’s back, people will truly see who Ravindra Dhangekar is." Shinde expressed confidence that Dhangekar’s entry would bring thousands more into the party in Pune. He also pointed out that Dhangekar secured 4,60,000 votes in the Lok Sabha elections, proving his strong grassroots connection and popularity. 

Also read: Is Maharashtra Congress leader Ravindra Dhangekar's decision to rejoin Shiv Sena a result of 'Operation Tiger'?

Reflecting on his political journey, Shinde said, “I was just an ordinary party worker, but people underestimated me. Then, things changed in a way that not just India, but 33 countries took notice. The world saw what an ordinary worker could achieve. Out of 80 seats that Shiv Sena contested, 60 seats were won—this is the people’s stamp of approval on which the real Shiv Sena is." 

He emphasised that his leadership is about standing shoulder to shoulder with party workers, not just putting up a show. In a veiled attack on Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde remarked, “Those who were blinded by power in 2019 were taught a lesson by the people in the Assembly elections. We are not in politics for power; our only aim is to take Maharashtra forward. We weren’t born with silver spoons, but we were born to bring golden days to the lives of the common people." 

Commenting on the controversy over the alleged fake Balasaheb Thackeray video, Shinde said, "They claim to have preserved Balasaheb’s old records, but fake people will always do fake things. Instead of resorting to such gimmicks, had they actually followed Balasaheb’s principles, the party would have remained united." 

Dhangekar, in his address, expressed his admiration for Shinde’s leadership. "I was a Shiv Sena corporator for 10 years. As Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde has worked tirelessly for the common man in the past two and a half years. He has led as one of the people, and I will try to follow his footsteps."