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Shinde said the Opposition questioned electoral rolls when it suited its political interests but remained silent when it won elections.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addresses supporters during the Shiv Sena Dussehra rally at NESCO Centre, in Goregaon, Mumbai. (PTI photo)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc, calling it a “ten-mouthed Ravana” and accusing the Opposition of double standards over allegations of vote theft.
Addressing his Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally in Mumbai, Shinde said the Opposition questioned electoral rolls when it suited its political interests but remained silent when it won elections.
“This is double standards and a daily show of new drama. The INDIA bloc is a ten-mouthed Ravana, and we need to burn its effigy,” he said.
Shinde also accused the Opposition of undermining the Constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
‘Vote Theft’ In 2019
Without naming Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde alleged that the real theft of the people’s mandate took place after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, when the undivided Shiv Sena joined hands with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to form the government.
“You did not even contest the election. You made a backdoor entry and became chief minister. You stabbed the mandate and grabbed the post. It was a huge dacoity against the people’s mandate,” he said.
Shinde questioned why the Opposition alleged electoral malpractice when it lost but did not raise similar concerns after winning elections in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.
He also accused Congress of having looted the country for decades and criticised its demand for ballot papers.
Targets Opposition Over National Issues
Shinde accused Opposition leaders of encouraging unrest by referring to regime changes in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. He also criticised their remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that their statements were being used against India.
Turning to farmers’ distress amid water scarcity in Maharashtra, Shinde said his party would provide assistance to affected cultivators.
He announced that the first consignment of 100 tonnes of foodgrains had been sent to farmers as an advance Diwali gift, with more supplies to follow.
“Let me make it very clear that I don’t only give ‘bhashan’ (speeches), but also give ration to farmers,” he said, taking a swipe at political opponents.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Ask News18During his Shiv Sena Dussehra rally in Mumbai, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lashed out at the opposition INDIA bloc by describing it as a “ten-mouthed Ravana” and accusing it of double standards regarding vote theft allegations.
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