'I will deliver what Balasaheb Thackeray's son could not—slum-free Mumbai': Eknath Shinde

Interview/ Eknath Shinde, chief minister, Maharashtra

Q/ What have been your achievements while being in office?

A/ My achievements have been three-fold―accessibility, infrastructure and welfare. First, I made the chief minister’s office and residence more accessible to the public, especially the poor and the needy. I have changed the way the common man perceives the CMO.

I prioritised restarting stalled infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Mumbai’s metro, which is now one of the largest ongoing metro networks globally. Notable completions include the coastal road, the Atal Setu (India’s longest sea bridge) and the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, Maharashtra’s longest greenfield road, will be fully completed by December 2024, and the bullet train project is progressing well. Additionally, we are advancing Vadhvan Port, poised to be India’s largest deep-water port. Urban renewal projects such as the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, Thane Cluster Development Project, and BDD Chawl redevelopment are also priorities, with a focus on housing for the indigenous population. We are effectively using agencies like the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to redevelop areas like Ramabai Nagar.

In terms of welfare, my government introduced Maharashtra’s first direct benefit transfer scheme, the Ladki Bahin Yojana, alongside health care programmes like Aapla Dawakhana and the Integrated MJPJAY (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana) with Ayushman Bharat. The Shasan Aplya Dari scheme, which brings services directly to citizens, has over five crore beneficiaries. We have also provided financial aid to farmers, supported marginalised communities and waived tolls for light vehicles at five key entry points in Mumbai to ease travel costs.

Q/ There used to be reports of you and Ajit Pawar clashing during cabinet meetings?

A/ As the head of my cabinet, I have always worked diligently to ensure collaboration with my alliance partners. These reports of clashes between myself and my cabinet colleagues are simply unfounded. In fact, I share a warm and respectful relationship with both Shri Ajit Pawar ji and Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji. Together, we have focused on the welfare of the state and good governance for the benefit of Maharashtra.

Q/ How comfortable is your equation with Ajit Pawar and his party as you face the polls together?

A/ Our relationship has been very smooth. Throughout the [seat-sharing] process, we maintained a cordial dialogue, always keeping winnability as the top priority. The camaraderie and mutual respect within the alliance are evident as we prepare for the elections.

Q/ Were you under pressure from the BJP leadership during seat-sharing?

A/ There is absolutely no pressure from anyone. Our focus is solely on ensuring the success of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra and strengthening the “double engine” government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s leadership at the Centre. In my experience, the BJP has been a loyal and trusted ally of the Shiv Sena. If you look at the opposition today, the MVA alliance is in disarray, with 4-5 CM hopefuls jostling for position. Uddhav Thackeray [was] reduced to pleading for a few seats and being summoned repeatedly to Delhi.

Q/ There were reports that Union Minister Amit Shah told you to lower your expectations regarding the number of seats because you were made chief minister. Is this true?

A/ Those rumours are completely baseless. They are purely fictional accounts from individuals who were not part of the discussions. There was no such directive, and it is unfortunate that some people are trying to mislead the public with these false claims.

Q/ How has been the response to Ladki Bahin Scheme?

A/ The Ladki Bahin Yojana, Maharashtra’s first DBT scheme, has already benefited over 2.3 crore women. I have travelled across the state to ensure its effective implementation. This scheme has proven crucial for both poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment. It also prevents corruption by transferring funds directly to beneficiaries…. Additionally, we provide free LPG cylinders under the Annapurna Yojana, and the Lek Ladki scheme helps poor girls [from the age of] school enrolment to college admission. In the land of Savitribai Phule, empowering women is a top priority.

Q/ What have you done for farmers?

A/ We have implemented several key initiatives to support farmers. The Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi provides Rs12,000 annually to all farmers, with Rs6,000 contributed by the Union government. We launched the Rs1 crop insurance scheme to make insurance premiums accessible to financially unstable farmers. The Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana offers up to Rs50,000 to farmers who repay crop loans on time. We have also disbursed Rs15,245 crore to compensate for crop losses because of natural disasters. Additionally, through the Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MagNet) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, we are increasing farm incomes by linking farmers to agribusiness value chains. Key infrastructure efforts include a 14,000MW power generation project and the rollout of solar pumps, ensuring reliable electricity in drought-prone areas. We also launched the Mukhyamantri Baliraja Mofat Vij Yojana, providing free electricity to farmers with agricultural pumps up to 7.5HP, a transformative step for the state’s agrarian sector.

Q/ It is said that schemes like Ladki Bahin are attempts to purchase votes.

A/ Schemes aimed at buying votes don’t last. Look at Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress promised DBTs, but now struggles to deliver. Unlike them, we have fully funded the Ladki Bahin Yojana for the next year, ensuring that even the incoming government can keep these promises. Our initiatives are about genuine empowerment, not election stunts.

Q/ The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is alleging that law and order totally collapsed during your rule, and that even a leader like Baba Siddique could not be protected. What is your response?

A/ The MVA has no moral authority to speak on law and order. During the Congress’s 10-year rule, the state and the country saw repeated terror attacks, including 26/11 in Mumbai. Under their watch, cities like Pune and Malegaon were also targeted. When the MVA was in power, Hindu sadhus were lynched, and corrupt police officers were used for extortion. Respected business leaders were targeted and terrorised repeatedly. Even their home minister was jailed for corruption. In contrast, since PM Modi’s government came to power, India has not faced a major terror attack in the last 10 years.

Q/ Uddhav’s Shiv Sena says that you are selling Mumbai to Adani.

A/ The UBT has consistently opposed development to serve its own interests through extortion. It blocked crucial projects like the metro, bullet train and Vadhvan Port, all of which are essential for Mumbai’s progress. Its obstruction caused project costs to escalate by Rs17,000 crore. Can it point to a single major development project from its tenure? Mumbai was flooded, the rivers turned into drains, and the city became a sprawling slum under its watch. Its attacks on businesses are an attack on Mumbai’s progress. Dharavi, one of the oldest slums, has been neglected for years, but I have promised to build safe and secure homes for these people. Balasaheb Thackeray dreamed of a slum-free Mumbai, and while his son failed to deliver, I will. The Congress brought the slums, the UBT let them expand, and I will be the one to give people proper housing.

Q/ How much investment did you manage to get for Maharashtra?

A/ Maharashtra has become a top investment destination, securing 52 per cent of India’s FDI for two consecutive years under my leadership. We have signed MoUs worth Rs5 lakh crore this year at the World Economic Forum. Across the state, infrastructure projects worth Rs8 lakh crore are underway. I firmly believe Maharashtra is on track to becoming a $1.5 trillion economy.

Q/ What about job creation for youth?

A/ The mismanagement during the MVA’s rule, particularly during Covid, led to many projects moving to Gujarat. My focus has been on bringing back investments and creating job opportunities for youth. We launched the Ladka Bhau Yojana, a job training and stipend programme. Under this scheme, Class 12 pass-outs receive Rs6,000, diploma holders Rs8,000, and graduates Rs10,000 per annum during on-job training.

Q/ How confident are you of winning the elections for Mahayuti?

A/ We are very confident. We are running on our record of development, not on false narratives like the opposition. Maharashtra has changed, both in terms of infrastructure and socioeconomic development. We have prioritised people-centric development and long-term planning for the future of the state’s citizens.