Eknath Shinde draws massive crowds in Badlapur, Ambernath; says he has come to 'wake people up, not sleep'

THANE: With municipal council elections nearing, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) chief Eknath Shinde held one major rally in Badlapur and two power-packed public gatherings in Ambernath, drawing an impressive crowd of Shiv Sainiks and supporters. Addressing the rallies, Shinde presented a detailed account of the development work undertaken under his leadership and urged citizens to elect Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) candidates in the upcoming polls.


In Badlapur, Shinde began his speech by saying the city and its people were deeply familiar to him. He noted the strong presence of women, saying that his “beloved sisters” always played a leading role in voting. Calling Badlapur a Shiv Sena stronghold, he highlighted how the party had completed some of the biggest development projects in the region with significant financial allocations. He credited local leader Waman Mhatre for bringing major funds to the city and took a swipe at rivals, remarking that while some leaders only take funds away without any visible results, Shiv Sena believed in delivering tangible work on the ground.


Listing the development initiatives completed during his tenure, Shinde spoke of the expanding metro rail network across Mumbai and the MMR, major road projects, and infrastructure upgrades. He said the transformation of Badlapur was so evident that some opponents had already begun sensing their defeat. Emphasising his commitment, he stated, “If you have worked, you have every right to speak about it. I have not come here to sleep; I have come to wake some people up.”


In Ambernath, the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as Shinde declared that the entire city was “full of Shiv Sena’s spirit.” He said that the public response across Maharashtra had been overwhelmingly in favour of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). The large crowds at rallies, he said, were enough to ensure that opponents would lose their deposits if people chose decisively. He confidently asserted that the next municipal chairman would be from Shiv Sena. Shinde acknowledged that Ambernath previously lacked progress, but said the city had now transformed substantially. He praised MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde for bringing considerable funds and ensuring they were utilised effectively.


Speaking passionately about welfare schemes, Shinde said he had launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana during his tenure as Chief Minister because he had personally experienced poverty and had decided long ago that he would work for the upliftment of women if he ever came to power. He reiterated that no one would be able to stop the scheme. Projecting himself as a leader of service rather than authority, he said some people behaved like owners, but he considered himself a sevak of the people. He added that although he was not born with a golden spoon, he was born to bring golden days into people’s lives. According to him, his work spoke for itself, and the trust of the people had helped Shiv Sena win 60 MLA seats.


Looking ahead, Shinde announced that Ambernath would soon become the only city in the region to have two metro lines, further enhancing connectivity and growth. He assured the crowd that upcoming projects included the development of Chikhloli station and slum rehabilitation, emphasising that he would never allow funds to fall short. Calling Ambernath his “own city,” he said the work done there rivaled that of big metropolitan areas. He insisted that voting for Shiv Sena was equivalent to voting for development and urged supporters to press the Bow and Arrow symbol for a record-breaking victory.


Shinde ended his speech by reaffirming his confidence in a massive win and said, “Don’t look at anything else—look at the Bow and Arrow and press the button.”