Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde launched a sharp attack on the Opposition's INDIA alliance on Monday, 8 June, declaring that the bloc has reached a state of 'sheer exhaustion' and that its morale has been 'completely crushed.' Shinde made the remarks in New Delhi after chairing a key meeting of Shiv Sena office-bearers drawn from 20 states.

Key Allegations Against the INDIA Alliance

Shinde alleged that the Opposition lacks any development agenda and relies solely on attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that internal rifts and the fear of electoral defeat have left alliance leaders deeply unsettled, pointing to the conspicuous absence of certain figures from recent INDIA bloc meetings as evidence of fractures within.

Taking an indirect swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde said that despite holding meetings across the country, there is 'no concrete direction' behind them. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the country for many more years because he has the blessings and trust of 140 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi should first work consistently by staying in the country before criticising Modi,' Shinde said.

He also noted that senior Opposition figures including Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee have themselves questioned the consistency of Gandhi's leadership — a point Shinde used to argue that the alliance's doubts are internal, not just external.

Targeting Uddhav Thackeray

Without explicitly naming Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde remarked that the very leaders who once tried to hold the alliance together are now 'staying away from these meetings and limiting themselves to Facebook Live sessions.' The jibe was widely read as directed at his estranged former ally. Shinde also commented on the recent meeting between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, calling it 'entirely their personal matter.'

Shiv Sena's Nationwide Expansion Drive

The Delhi meeting, attended by state chiefs from across India, was convened to discuss the nationwide expansion of the Shiv Sena. Shinde said the atmosphere is 'highly favourable' for the party's growth and expressed confidence that the deliberations would 'infuse new strength' into the organisation and address workers' concerns.

He reiterated that the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are united on the foundation of Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva principles, contrasting this with what he described as the Opposition's alliance of 'pure power and self-interest.'

On Farmer Loan Waivers and Governance

On the farmer loan waiver, Shinde assured that the government has taken a decision and implementation is underway, with funds being deposited directly into eligible farmers' accounts. He claimed that his government — unlike the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) administration — had actually delivered aid to farmers who repay their loans regularly. 'Those who cheated the farmers have no right to speak. The first right over Maharashtra's treasury belongs to the farmers,' he asserted.

On other administrative matters, Shinde said the Guardian Minister post for Raigad would be decided at the Chief Minister's level following discussions with Sunil Tatkare. He also said he is personally monitoring efforts to resolve the political impasse in Nashik ahead of State Council elections scheduled for 18 June, with meetings involving Girish Mahajan and Uday Samant already underway.

Other Remarks

Responding to questions about the alleged scam involving Rajesh Exports, Shinde reiterated that no form of corruption would be tolerated. On reports that 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs may break away, he called it an internal matter of that party. Asked about former MLA Bachchu Kadu's remarks regarding a potential elevation of Devendra Fadnavis to Chief Minister, Shinde said he would comment only after examining the statement in detail.

With Shiv Sena's organisational outreach now spanning two dozen states and the Mahayuti alliance projecting unity ahead of future electoral contests, the coming weeks will test whether Shinde's confidence in the bloc's momentum translates into measurable political ground.