Uddhav Thackeray Criticizes Eknath Shinde Over Projects Moving to Gujarat and Shivaji Statue Collapse

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has criticized current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that many industrial projects have moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat since Shinde took office. Thackeray made these remarks in Ramtek, where he unveiled a statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Thackeray questioned, “When I was the Chief Minister, did you hear even a single news that any project from here went to Gujarat? In the last two and a half years, since this Mindhe (Shinde) became Chief Minister, so many industries have gone to Gujarat. Everything is being taken to Gujarat. Mumbai’s economic centre has also been taken to Gujarat. We are not just fighting for power, but our fight is against the looting of Maharashtra.”

He also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of wanting to “finish” him and NCP leader Sharad Pawar. Thackeray said, “Mohan Bhagwatji (RSS chief), do you agree with the BJP’s Hindutva? Goons are coming into this BJP, corrupt people are coming. Do you agree with this? Amit Shah is coming to finish me and Sharad Pawar, will you let us be finished? Only my people can finish me, not Amit Shah. If my people tell me to sit at home, I will sit at home, but if someone from Delhi tells me to sit at home, my people will make them sit at home. After our government came to power, I will stop the loot going on in Maharashtra.”

Thackeray also criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the collapse of the Shivaji statue at the Malvan fort in Sindhudurg, calling it an embarrassment for the state. The 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed on August 26, sparking a significant political war between state leaders. The statue was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.