Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Mumbai, lauded Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for parting ways with Uddhav Thackeray and forming an alliance with the BJP. Speaking at the inauguration of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s (MACCIA) new headquarters and a state-level Cooperative Industrial Conference, Shah stated that Shinde had shown the people "who truly represents the real Shiv Sena."
“The true identity of the Shiv Sena was clarified by Eknath Shinde,” Shah said, taking a direct jab at the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, split in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde led a rebellion, toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Since then, the two factions have been locked in a fierce battle over the party’s legacy and name.
Shah praised the double-engine government led by Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, crediting them with bringing over Rs 7 lakh crore worth of investment to Mumbai. "When Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister, there was a double-engine government. When Devendra Fadnavis was Chief Minister earlier, we had a double-engine government then as well," he remarked.
He emphasised the importance of this alliance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in driving Maharashtra’s industrial growth. “The double-engine government has saved Mumbai by ensuring massive investment in infrastructure and development,” Shah asserted.
Highlighting Maharashtra's leading position in India's economy, Shah said, “Maharashtra is the largest economy in the country, the state with the highest FDI, the most foreign tourists, and the most startups.” He also noted that India’s largest upcoming port is being built at Vadhavan, indicating continued development in the region.
Reflecting on past challenges, Shah mentioned concerns about Mumbai's future due to growing population, slums, and traffic congestion. However, he applauded Devendra Fadnavis for investing Rs 7 lakh crore during his previous tenure to transform Mumbai’s infrastructure.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Shah questioned whether those now criticizing the BJP ever had the foresight to initiate such large-scale projects. “If they had done their job, there would’ve been nothing left for Fadnavis to do,” he said.
He also criticised the Congress party, asking, “You had Maharashtra for years—what did you do for Mumbai?” Shah highlighted the expansion of airports, railways, and metro networks under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, along with increased funding for both industrial development and irrigation.
Addressing the issue of farmer suicides, Shah said that when he entered politics, these were a global talking point. “But under BJP rule, investment in irrigation helped bring an end to farmer suicides in the state,” he claimed.
Responding to allegations of central neglect towards Maharashtra, Shah pointed out that the state received Rs 7.82 lakh crore in devolutions and grants between 2014 and 2024 under the Modi government—significantly more than the Rs1.91 lakh crore during the UPA’s 2004–2014 tenure.
