Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday launched a strong criticism of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of splitting the Shiv Sena and undermining the state's industrial development. In a media interaction, Thackeray slammed Shinde for allegedly weakening Maharashtra's economic foundations and reiterated his opposition to any efforts to honour him.
Reacting to the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar conferred upon Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, a key ally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Aaditya Thackeray stated that his principles would never permit him to honour someone like Eknath Shinde.
"I will not talk about his (Sharad Pawar's) age, seniority, and principles. It is our principle never to honour a person like this (Eknath Shinde). He has not only split our party and family but also Maharashtra's industrialisation in the state. Jo Maharashtra drohi hai, woh desh drohi bhi hota hai (A betrayer of Maharashtra is also a betrayer of the nation)," Thackeray said.
The Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar was presented to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday in New Delhi during the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, an annual conference dedicated to Marathi literature, language, and culture. The event saw the participation of prominent leaders, including Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia. The presence of Sharad Pawar and Eknath Shinde on the same stage during the event triggered political reactions. On the occasion, Shinde was also honoured with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award.