The latest controversy fueled by Kunal Kamra paints a grim picture where leaders are criticized without significant repercussions. Kamra, who has been at the center of several such incidents, has once again stirred debate—this time failing to acknowledge the hard work and history behind the rise of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In his now-viral video, Kamra referred to Shinde as a “traitor.” Eknath Shinde, who comes from a humble background, has often been described as the “common man’s leader” by his peers, including Yuva Sena Working President Purvesh Parisha Pratap Sarnaik and Yuva Sena Chief Secretary Rahul Londhe.
The praise for Shinde is not without reason. Back in 1989, as a young auto-rickshaw driver living in a chawl, he risked his life to take a sick woman and her child to the hospital amid violent unrest. This act of bravery remains etched in the memories of those who still reside in the chawl today.
Shinde’s political journey has been far from easy. His rise to prominence was not sudden but rather the result of years of perseverance. He was introduced to politics by Anand Dighe, the then-Shiv Sena President, and gradually established himself as a strong labor leader in the aftermath of Shiv Sena’s agitation in the Wagle Estate area. Over the years, he held several key positions, including:
- Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA): Elected from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in 2009.
- Cabinet Minister: Served as the PWD Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government (2014–2019).
- Leader of the Opposition: Led the Shiv Sena legislature party in the Maharashtra Assembly.
These achievements were not earned overnight but were the result of decades of political groundwork.
Shinde’s local political success led to his debut in the Maharashtra Assembly in 2004. He became Shiv Sena’s Thane district head in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2014, and 2019, further expanding his influence.
However, the dramatic shift that led to him being labeled a “rebel” in 2022 became a defining moment in his political career. His faction was ultimately recognized as the “real Shiv Sena” by the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker in January 2024, cementing his leadership within the party.
In Kamra’s viral video, he sarcastically remarked, “Shiv Sena BJP se bahar aa gayi, phir Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena se bahar aa gayi,” implying that the current Shiv Sena is no longer the original party.
The 2022 rebellion, when Shinde led a faction against Uddhav Thackeray, triggered a major dispute over the rightful claim to the Shiv Sena name and symbols. After his appointment as Chief Minister, Shinde asserted his faction’s legitimacy, leading to a legal and political battle with Thackeray. The matter reached the Election Commission of India, which ultimately ruled in Shinde’s favor. The Commission also criticized the 2018 amendments made to the party’s constitution under Thackeray, calling them undemocratic and overly centralized.
Shinde’s political career has been marked by significant achievements, including leading the Shiv Sena to a notable victory in the November assembly elections, where his faction won 57 out of the 81 seats contested. This success significantly weakened the influence of the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction led by Thackeray, which secured only 20 seats.
Meanwhile, when Shiv Sena was under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, the party was accused of undemocratic practices. In 2018, amendments to the party’s constitution centralized control, eliminating democratic elections for key positions. The Election Commission criticized these changes, raising concerns about the lack of free and fair internal elections.
Additionally, Thackeray’s decision to ally with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian National Congress in 2019—diverging from Shiv Sena’s traditional Hindutva ideology—sparked internal dissent. Critics argued that this move, made without broad consultation, sidelined party members and contradicted the party’s foundational principles.
Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde highlights the ongoing friction in Maharashtra’s political landscape. While satire and criticism are integral to democracy, dismissing a leader’s journey without acknowledging their contributions can lead to a skewed public perception. Shinde’s rise from a humble background to the position of Chief Minister is a testament to his resilience and political acumen. His leadership continues to shape the state’s politics, as evidenced by his faction’s electoral success.
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