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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Friday campaigned in Pune ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, asserting that the Mahayuti alliance is contesting the civic polls on the plank of development and will emerge victorious both in Mumbai and Pune.
Speaking to the media during his visit to Katraj, Shinde said he was not aware of statements made by any individual party worker, but stressed that Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party are contesting the elections with full strength. "We are fighting this election on the issue of development," he said, adding that the work carried out during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Minister, along with the work done under Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the past year, is being taken directly to the people. Expressing confidence over the outcome in Mumbai, Shinde said the electorate would vote in favour of the Mahayuti alliance based on development works. "Let me say this in one word: the Mayor of Mumbai will be from the Mahayuti alliance only," he asserted. On the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, Shinde said the party cadre and supporters were highly enthusiastic. He pointed out that in some areas of Pune, the Mahayuti partners are contesting together, while in others, they are fighting separately. "In Pune, Shiv Sena is contesting independently, and the enthusiasm among our workers is tremendous. They are determined to win this election under any circumstances," he said. Highlighting civic issues, the Shiv Sena chief said his party would focus on resolving problems related to traffic, water supply and basic civic amenities. He also reiterated the party's commitment to making Pune a slum-free city, underlining that development remains at the core of Shiv Sena's agenda. "The opposition should not take us lightly. Shiv Sena is a strong party," Shinde said, adding that the party has expanded its presence across Maharashtra, countering perceptions that it was limited to select regions. Commenting on the issue of cow protection, Shinde said it was during his tenure as Chief Minister that Gau Mata was accorded the status of 'Rajya Mata'. He noted that Maharashtra became the first state in the country to grant this status and warned that strict action would be taken if any incident of cow slaughter occurred. Responding to a query on a possible alliance with the AIMIM in Parli, Shinde dismissed the suggestion, saying, "Who is MIM? I don't know." (ANI)
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