Does Maharashtra win settle debate on Eknath Shinde and ‘real’ Shiv Sena?
FirstpostThe Maharashtra election results are out and it’s a thumping victory for the Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. His faction is leading in 55 of the 81 contested seats, outperforming the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with supporters flashes victory signs as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on course to secure a big win in the Maharashtra elections. His deputy, Devendra Fadnavis went one step ahead and said, “People have given their mandate and have accepted Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar has got the legitimacy of NCP.” A winning strike-rate In this Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena contested a total of 81 seats. File image/PTI Speaking on Shinde’s win, Eknath Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde, was quoted as saying, “The mandate of the people of Maharashtra has shown who is carrying forward the ideals of late Bal Thackeray.” It also underlines the fact that Shiv Sena is “not a private limited company”.