Shinde attacks Uddhav at Dussehra rally, then rebukes organisers for placing him in a corner

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a strong attack on the Opposition from the stage of the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally. The rally was held at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. Targeting Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said the UBT, which he said had stabbed Maharashtra in the back to become chief minister, were the real "vote robbers". He took the Opposition to task at length in the rally.

After the speech, however, Shinde was visibly angry with the organisers. Once he had finished with the Opposition, he began bidding farewell to party workers. At that moment something at the rally displeased him, and he rebuked the organisers sharply from the stage. "Who organised this? Who put me in a corner? Next time I want to be in front of the people, remember that," he said, as he admonished the organisers.

At the rally, Shinde said help was being sent to farmers. "We are not just people who give speeches; we are the ones who light farmers' hearths and give them rations," he said. He asked the Opposition directly, "Have you given even a single packet of biscuits?"

Shinde also said work had begun on distributing Diwali rations to farmers. He said he was criticised every day and that not a single day passed without abuse being heaped on him, but that "we will answer through our work". His remarks suggested this was a major announcement for farmers.

Shinde also gave details of some schemes. In Parbhani, 25,000 sewing machines have been distributed. 25,000 bicycles will be distributed to farmers' daughters, and the distribution has been launched. He said that if a farmer's daughter is to be married, "we have taken on the responsibility of getting that daughter married".

He also announced that mass wedding ceremonies would be organised for farmers' daughters. Shinde said firmly at the rally that "we will not lag behind anywhere in this work". The criticism of the Opposition, the announcements for farmers and the rebuke to the organisers made Shinde's speech the talking point of the rally.