Eknath Shinde hails Modi's 4,398-day record, ₹10 lakh crore Maharashtra push
Synopsis
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde used a congratulatory resolution to deliver a data-heavy defence of the Modi era — citing a 4,398-day tenure record, a five-fold jump in central funds to Maharashtra, and honours from 33 countries. The speech doubled as a pointed rebuke of Uddhav Thackeray and a signal that Shiv Sena's NDA alignment is firm ahead of future elections.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde spoke on a resolution congratulating PM Narendra Modi on 10 June .
Shinde credited Modi with a record 4,398 days in office and civilian honours from 33 countries .
India's economy has climbed from 11th to 4th globally, with a stated goal of reaching 3rd , according to Shinde.
Maharashtra received ₹10 lakh crore in central funds under Modi versus ₹2 lakh crore during the entire UPA tenure.
Shinde credited Modi with granting Classical Language status to Marathi and fulfilling the Ram Mandir and Article 370 pledges.
Shinde dismissed claims of smaller-party marginalisation in the NDA and confirmed Shiv Sena secured four seats in the Legislative Council elections .
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, 10 June credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reshaping India's global standing over twelve years in office, asserting that the country is on course to become an economic superpower. Shinde made the remarks while speaking on a resolution congratulating the Prime Minister in the state legislature.
Record Tenure and Global Recognition
Shinde noted that Modi has become one of India's longest-serving Prime Ministers, clocking 4,398 days in office — a record, according to Shinde. He argued that the Prime Minister has used that tenure to raise India's international profile in ways no predecessor managed at comparable scale.
On the global honours front, Shinde pointed out that Modi has received the highest civilian awards from 33 countries, describing it as a matter of national pride. He also cited the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision as evidence of long-term strategic thinking, calling it a 21-year roadmap for the country's development.
India's Economic Climb
Shinde claimed that India's economy has risen from the 11th to the 4th position globally under Modi's watch, with an ambition to reach the 3rd spot. "Every Indian feels proud that the nation is marching toward becoming an economic superpower," Shinde said.
He drew a pointed contrast on Maharashtra's share of central funding: the state received ₹2 lakh crore during the UPA government's entire tenure, whereas the Modi government has allocated ₹10 lakh crore to the state over the past twelve years — a five-fold increase, according to Shinde.
Maharashtra's Infrastructure Gains
Shinde highlighted a string of large-scale projects he attributed to the Centre's funding under the so-called 'double-engine' government model: the Coastal Road, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Vadhavan Port. He claimed that infrastructure built under the current regime is double that of the UPA era, and that the number of operational airports in India has also been doubled.
Notably, Shinde also credited the Modi government with granting Classical Language status to Marathi — a longstanding cultural demand — alongside the broader Vikas se Virasat (Development with Heritage) philosophy that, he argued, preserves cultural identity while pursuing economic growth.
Security, Welfare, and Political Barbs
Shinde invoked Operation Sindhu, asserting that the Modi government gave the Indian Armed Forces full operational freedom to respond to Pakistan — a contrast, he argued, to what he described as the softer posture of previous governments. He also praised Modi's stance against tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, framing it as a defence of Indian farmers' interests.
On domestic welfare, Shinde credited Modi with delivering schemes for farmers, women, the underprivileged, and youth. He also thanked the Prime Minister for fulfilling what he called the dreams of the late Balasaheb Thackeray — specifically the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370.
Shinde took a pointed swipe at the opposition, saying that for Modi it is 'Nation First,' while for the opposition it is 'Corruption First.' He also took a veiled dig at Uddhav Thackeray without naming him directly, stating that those who abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva ideology chose a different path, while Shiv Sena under his leadership returned to the NDA.
Shiv Sena's Place in the NDA
Dismissing suggestions that smaller parties are marginalised within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Shinde said he has never experienced such sidelining. He stressed that Shiv Sena receives due respect in NDA meetings and that Modi treats all alliance partners equally.
On the Legislative Council elections, Shinde expressed satisfaction at securing four seats, noting that two were won unopposed, and said he is confident of winning the remaining contests. With Maharashtra's political landscape still fluid, Shinde's address signals that the ruling alliance intends to keep the Modi narrative front and centre ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
But it conflates total central transfers across all schemes with a single government's intentional largesse, and independent verification of the figures is absent. The 'double-engine government' framing is also a standard BJP-alliance talking point that obscures the constitutional reality of how Centre-state fiscal transfers actually work. What the speech does reveal is that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena sees its political survival as inseparable from the Modi brand — a bet that pays off in election season but leaves the party with little independent ideological ground.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Eknath Shinde say about PM Modi's tenure record?
Shinde stated that PM Modi has become one of India's longest-serving Prime Ministers with a record of 4,398 days in office. He made the remarks while speaking on a congratulatory resolution in the Maharashtra legislature on 10 June.
How much central funding has Maharashtra received under the Modi government compared to the UPA era?
According to Shinde, Maharashtra received ₹10 lakh crore in central funding over the past twelve years under the Modi government, compared to ₹2 lakh crore during the entire UPA tenure — a five-fold increase by his account. These figures have not been independently verified.
What is the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision that Shinde referenced?
Viksit Bharat 2047 is the Modi government's long-term development framework targeting a developed India by the country's centenary of independence in 2047. Shinde described it as a 21-year roadmap reflecting the Prime Minister's long-term foresight.
What did Shinde say about Shiv Sena's relationship with the NDA?
Shinde said the bond between Shiv Sena and the NDA is longstanding and was only briefly disrupted by what he called the self-interest of a few — a veiled reference to Uddhav Thackeray's faction. He asserted that Shiv Sena receives full respect within NDA meetings and that PM Modi treats all alliance partners equally.
Which Maharashtra infrastructure projects did Shinde credit to central funding?
Shinde cited the Coastal Road, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Vadhavan Port as projects funded through the Centre under the Modi government's 'double-engine' model.
