Shiv Sena to expand its reach across Maharashtra: Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday declared his party Shiv Sena would expand its influence across the state and asserted its winning momentum in the 2024 assembly elections would continue in future polls reported the PTIEknath Shinde who charted his own political course in June 2022 after leading a revolt against the leadership of the united Shiv Sena reaffirmed his commitment to spreading the partys ideology and growing its presenceHe was addressing a gathering in Thane district on the occasion of Magh Poornima at the base of the Malang Gadh where devotees climb the hill to seek the darshan of Machindranath a revered figure associated with the Nath Panth a Hindu monastic tradition as per the PTIIn his speech Eknath Shinde highlighted the partys new initiative Gaon Tethe Shakaha Gar Tethe Sena which is aimed at expanding the Shiv Senas reach across the state by setting up more party branches in villages and towns according to the PTIHe urged party workers to intensify their efforts and bring in more people into the Shiv Sena foldIf you follow this drive the future is yours said Shinde who heads the regional saffron party which is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance led by the BJPReflecting on the partys history Shinde recalled how he had accompanied his mentor the late Anand Dighe to the Malang Gadh on several occasions during his early days in politicsHe mentioned that it was under Dighes leadership that several of undivided Shiv Senas key programmes and schemes were initiated and have continued uninterrupted to this dayTo make the pilgrimage to the hilltop temple at Malang Gadh more accessible especially for women and the elderly Shinde announced the services of the funicular ropeway which had been launched to aid visitors would now be open to allEknath Shinde reflected on the Shiv Senas success in the last years legislative elections expressing confidence that this momentum would continue in future electionsThe Shindeled Shiv Sena had won 57 out of the 81 assembly seats it contested contributing significantly to the Mahayuti alliances landslide victory in the state in November last yearPeoples support for the Shiv Sena has grown immensely due to the partys strong performance in polls and the positive work done by the Mahayuti government he emphasisedShinde called on party workers to visit every household in Maharashtra and highlight the achievements of the Mahayuti government over the past two and a half yearsHe described Shiv Sena shakhas branches as Nayay Mandirs temples of justice where citizens come to seek resolutions to their problemsThe Deputy CM stressed the importance of maintaining this image and ensuring that the shakhas continue to serve peopleShinde vowed to serve Maharashtra for the rest of his life Till the last drop of blood in my life I will dedicate myself to the state and its people he remarkedShinde expressed confidence in the judiciary and hoped the issue of Malang Gadh which has been a matter of dispute for sometime would be resolved soonOn a lighter note Shinde shared a personal anecdote about his early experiences with mentor Dighe on the Malang Gadh pilgrimage He recalled how on one occasion they had to make a repeat journey after Dighe insisted on climbing the hill again to complete the visitIn a related development leaders from the opposition Shiv Sena UBT also visited Malang Gadh to offer prayerswith PTI inputs