Shinde says Sena always honoured alliance dharma after BJP's charges over Council poll results

A fresh debate has broken out in Maharashtra politics after the elections to five Legislative Council seats. The Mahayuti did not do as well as expected. Mahayuti candidates won two of the five seats, while three went to Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates. Following the result, the BJP has been raising questions about the role of the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena.

BJP minister Rane held a press conference in the morning and criticised leaders of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Charges are being levelled at the Shinde faction by the BJP. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has now responded to these charges.

Shinde said clearly that the Shiv Sena has always honoured alliance dharma. He said the BJP and the Shiv Sena had an alliance in four places. On the Pune seat, he said there had been a friendly contest between a Shiv Sena-backed candidate and the BJP's candidate.

According to Shinde, the Shiv Sena's thinking has been that while in an alliance, it is essential to support the partner party and to play the role that has been agreed upon. The allegations that began after the results have once again brought the atmosphere within the Mahayuti into discussion.

Along with the political questions, Shinde also spoke on drought and farmers. He said the government stands firmly with farmers in their hardships, in the responsibility of their sons' and daughters' weddings, and on issues related to farming.

Shinde said the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Ministers have announced help, and a provision of Rs 7,500 crore has been made for it. According to him, this amount is for immediate assistance, and drought victims will also get the benefit of the other concessions available to them.

Saying that the government's stance on school fees and other concessions is also positive, Shinde expressed confidence that farmers will get help.

Shinde claimed that while talk of coordination within the Mahayuti over the Council results is going on on one side, the government's emphasis on the other side is on getting help to drought-hit farmers. Political circles are now watching what stand the BJP takes next on these results and where the exchange of charges and counter-charges within the Mahayuti leads.