‘Oppn used polarisation, incited Muslims, Dalits'
MUMBAI: The opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) trumped the ruling Mahayuti in the state in the Lok Sabha polls due to polarisation and consolidation of Muslim votes behind Shiv Sena (UBT), newly elected Shiv Sena MP and chief minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde said in an interview to Yogesh Naik. Edited excerpts:
What lessons did the Shiv Sena learn from the LS poll results?
This election was fought on polarisation. The opposition started a campaign of ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (save Constitution) and incited Muslims and Dalits. Our candidates lost in Muslimdominated areas as voters rallied en masse behind opposition candidates. They spread lies and we could not break the narrative. It’s dangerous for the nation when voting happens in this manner.
Besides, shuffling of our candidates and delay in announcing some names cost us four to five seats. This should not have happened.
What went wrong in South Mumbai?
Our candidate lost only because of minority votes.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has claimed that four of your MPs are in touch with them.
This is not true...
Shiv Sena depended entirely on the BJP for declaration of candidates
and poll strategy. Why did your leaders not have a final say?
This is not true. We have a coalition government and the three parties chose candidates together. However, surveys to gauge winnability led to delays in announcement of candidates. This could have been done in a better manner.
Has the poll verdict stalled the entry of new faces into your party from the rival faction and other groups?
New people will come. It is an ongoing process – a lot of people are coming to us and more will join in future… The vote bank of Shiv Sena (UBT) comprising Muslims and Dalits is temporary and will not be with them on a permanent basis. They voted with vengeance because of false propaganda. This won’t work every time. We are the original Shiv Sena.
Did the BJP machinery wholeheartedly help you in the polls?
We fought as a coalition and all cadres worked together in all constituencies.
How many seats will your party seek in the assembly polls?
Let us see. We will ask for maximum seats. What impact did the Maratha stir have on the poll?
It affected us in Marathwada. Even though we provided reservation to Marathas without touching the OBC quota, a false narrative was created.