Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday expressed strong confidence that the Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—will decisively win the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shinde said the alliance would defeat elements he accused of robbing Mumbai’s treasury during their long rule.

Launching a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT), Shinde questioned who the so-called “Rehman Dacoits” were that allegedly plundered civic funds. He claimed that those who controlled Mumbai’s civic body for years indulged in corruption during major crises, including the Mithi River clean-up and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Responding to opposition criticism during the winter session, Shinde said the government remained focused on development and welfare while the opposition resorted to baseless allegations. He accused opposition leaders of avoiding legislative debate, claiming they attended sessions merely for formality and failed to raise public concerns in the House.

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The Deputy Chief Minister further alleged that the opposition was more interested in securing the post of Leader of Opposition than addressing citizens’ issues. He said their failure to gain enough elected representatives reflected a lack of public support, which had kept them away from key constitutional positions.

Defending his position amid demands to abolish the post of Deputy CM, Shinde dismissed the criticism as politically motivated. He accused opponents of selective amnesia, noting that they themselves had retained the Deputy CM post when they were in power, and attributed the attacks to jealousy and ill intent.

Highlighting what he called “historic decisions” for Mumbai, Shinde listed several major initiatives, including relief for buildings without occupancy certificates, making Mumbai “Pagdi-free,” affordable housing measures, and large-scale redevelopment projects. He said these schemes aim to fulfill the vision of Balasaheb Thackeray by providing homes to nearly 40 lakh slum dwellers, with major launches planned during Balasaheb’s birth centenary year.

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