Thane: Dy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde assured party colleagues and aspirants that they would be rehabilitated in nominated positions to local and state bodies, boards or commissions if they were denied tickets to contest the forthcoming civic elections. The statement was made by Shinde late Tuesday night in Thane during the induction of former Navi Mumbai corporators, including M K Madhvi.It is known that the civic elections, most likely to be fought as Mahayuti alliance across 29 state corporations, may narrow down the possibilities for several prominent local leaders to contest the polls. The prospect of getting nominated to state boards or corporations may possibly placate any potential rebellion, it is learnt. “Those who are denied the chance to contest the local civic bodies should not be worried or feel less confident in their abilities. There are several posts in various state and local bodies, including corporations, left vacant by choice where we will rehabilitate those denied seats in the forthcoming elections,” Shinde said.Shinde also lashed out at his opponents, likening them to dogs who often barked at humans. “Usually, you see dogs barking at humans, but I have humans barking at me day in and day out,” he said, making a veiled dig at his opponents. “They have been hurling abuses and curses at me 24×7, and I have chosen to retaliate with work. It surprises me how much they hate me. Apparently, they failed to digest that a common man could ascend to the state’s top throne. However, I have faced the struggles of a common man and know the hardships borne by my wife and mother, which laid the seeds for the Laadki Bahin scheme, which has now been a huge hit among women. I won’t let the assistance stop at Rs 1,500 and want my sisters to become lakhpatis,” he added, tacitly hinting at increasing sops for the women in the state.
