Shiv Sena leader and CM Eknath Shinde has won the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat by a huge margin, retaining his position after winning the seat in 2019. Shinde, who led a rebellion against Shiv Sena and joined forces with BJP to become CM, has a stronghold on his home turf Thane. In his victory speech, he expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his support and said his government will work for the common man.
Eknath Shinde's Triumph: A Political Saga of Rebellion and Resilience
On July 10, 2023, Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, secured a resounding victory in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency, retaining his seat after a political storm that shook the state.
Background: A Tale of Rebellion
Shinde, a senior Shiv Sena leader and former minister, found himself at odds with party leadership in June 2022. Along with 39 other MLAs, he broke away from the Shiv Sena, citing a lack of ideological alignment. This rebellion led to the collapse of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and the formation of a new government with Shinde as the Chief Minister, supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Kopri-Pachpakhadi Constituency
Kopri-Pachpakhadi, located in the Thane district, has been a stronghold for Shinde since 2019 when he won the seat with a significant margin. The constituency encompasses a mix of urban and rural areas, including the industrial hub of Kopri.
The Election and Result
The by-election for Kopri-Pachpakhadi was necessitated after Shinde resigned from his Assembly seat following his appointment as Chief Minister. He faced a challenge from the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, Ramesh Jadhav, a former member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Despite facing a united opposition, Shinde emerged victorious with a massive margin of over 80,000 votes. His victory solidified his political dominance in Thane, which has been his home turf for decades.
Victory Speech and Promise
In his victory speech, Shinde expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support and pledged that his government would continue to work for the welfare of the common man. He also emphasized the need for unity and harmony in the state.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did Eknath Shinde rebel against Shiv Sena?
Shinde cited ideological differences and a desire for a stronger alliance with the BJP as the reasons for his rebellion.
2. What was the impact of the rebellion on the Maharashtra government?
The rebellion led to the collapse of the MVA government, which was formed by Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress.
3. How did Eknath Shinde become the Chief Minister?
Shinde was appointed as the Chief Minister after his faction of Shiv Sena MLAs formed a new government with the support of the BJP.
4. What is the significance of Shinde's victory in Kopri-Pachpakhadi?
Shinde's victory solidifies his political dominance in Thane and provides a strong mandate for his government.
5. What are Shinde's plans for the future?
Shinde has pledged to continue working for the welfare of the common man and emphasize unity and harmony in Maharashtra.
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