Mumbai: Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday said the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde would build up its strength in the next assembly elections to put Shinde back in the chief minister's chair.
"Every Shiv Sainik wants Eknath Shinde to become chief minister again. Anand Paranjpe, I and ordinary Shiv Sainiks share this feeling. But we have to consider the numbers," Sarnaik said in Thane. "Since we do not have the numbers today, Shinde is the deputy chief minister. We will increase our strength in the next assembly elections and make him chief minister again."
He claimed the sentiment reflected the wish of the people. His remarks came nearly two years after the November 2024 assembly elections, in which the BJP won 132 of the 288 seats, against 57 for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 41 for the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The BJP-led Mahayuti retained power, with Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister and Shinde and Ajit Pawar as his deputies.
Sarnaik is not alone in saying so. Water resources minister Gulabrao Patil has said Shinde should become chief minister again, calling it the sentiment of party legislators. Shiv Sena leader Sachin Ahir has said Shinde need not wait for an increase in numbers and could take the top post even now.
Sarnaik said this year's Dussehra was observed simply, with the party bearing the cost itself, so that farmers got priority. He agreed with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's claim that there is only "one Shiv Sena, Balasaheb's", and said Shinde was taking the party forward on the plank of the Marathi manoos and Hindutva.
Speaking to reporters at Shinde's Thane residence, where the party distributed aid to drought-affected families, Sarnaik said helping farmers mattered more than festive crowds. He also asked the police to step up security for NCP (SP) legislator Jitendra Awhad if the threats against him were genuine.