Eknath Shinde was kept away from key BMC meetings during MVA rule: Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske

THANE: Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske from Thane claimed Eknath Shinde, who was the urban development minister during the Maha Vikas Aghadi govt’s tenure, was deliberately kept away from key planning meetings of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Mhaske was responding to allegations from the Shiv Sena UBT faction on Tuesday that levelled corruption allegations against Shinde and also blamed him for failing to act during his tenure as the chief minister and while being in charge of the UD during the Uddhav Thackeray govt.“I am witness to the fact that Shinde was kept away from all meetings related to the BMC. I approached MP Sanjay Raut then, who told me that all matters related to the BMC were and would be controlled by the Thackeray family and their close associates.

Raut told me to inform Shinde not to interfere in the BMC affairs,” Mhaske told reporters in Thane.Retaliating on behalf of Shinde, Mhaske launched a scathing attack on the Thackerays, calling them ‘the real corrupt politicians’ and alleging their role in various scams during the pandemic, including the purchase of bags for corpses during Covid. “The Thane corporation purchased bags at ₹350 each, but the BMC bought the same at ₹7,000 each, that too from the same company,” he pointed out, warning those accused of corruption to desist from targeting Shinde.

Mhaske further alleged that during the MVA regime, Uddhav Thackeray was kept waiting outside the Gandhi residences in Delhi. In contrast, the NDA recently entrusted Eknath Shinde with the responsibility of honouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the army for Operation Sindoor’s success. “Our NDA govt appointed MP Dr Shrikant Shinde to lead a delegation to the UAE and other countries to represent and clarify our govt’s stance on fighting terrorism along our borders.

This reflects the respect for Maharashtra,” he said, dismissing criticism by Raut towards the Centre for being sidelined.