State Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently paid tribute to Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray. While addressing those present, he elaborated on Shiv Sena's political journey and important plans for the future. Shinde said that in the recently concluded municipal elections, Shiv Sena has emerged as the second largest party in the state after BJP. Shiv Sena has reached every household from Chanda to Banda, and it has once again been proven that this party belongs to the common workers.
While mentioning Balasaheb Thackeray's thoughts, Eknath Shinde said that building the Ram temple in Ayodhya and removing Article 370 (not 302) from Jammu and Kashmir were Balasaheb's dreams, and both dreams were fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At this time, he mentioned that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently on a tour of Davos and congratulated him on his efforts. Balasaheb Thackeray was a leader who nurtured and elevated activists, said Shinde, clarifying that the 'Balasaheb Thackeray Arogya Apalya Dari' campaign is being effectively implemented. He also said that Shiv Sena has always received respect in the NDA.
On the occasion of Balasaheb Thackeray's birth centenary celebrations, several welfare campaigns have been announced across the state. Under the 'Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Welfare Campaign', various schemes will be implemented in 29 municipal corporations and 394 municipalities. For this, each municipal corporation will be given 3 crore rupees, while municipalities will be given 1 crore rupees.
A provision of 100 crore rupees has been made through the Urban Development Department to empower women's savings groups, and a special fund will also be provided for women by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. For the promotion of the Marathi language, 100 crore rupees have been allocated, and from next week, the 'Plastic-Free Fort Campaign' will be launched. A separate campaign will be conducted for the cleanliness of forts, and NGOs of Shiv devotees will be given an honorarium of one lakh rupees.
Meanwhile, in the recently held municipal elections, the alliance has gained power over many municipal corporations including Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar. There is currently a major tug-of-war for the mayoral position, and it is not yet clear who will become the mayor of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. In Thane, Shinde indicated that the Shiv Sena Shinde faction has decided to include MNS.