Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court ruling on Article 370 and said, the verdict reflected the sentiments of the people. The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Union Government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and said steps should be taken to conduct the election to the Union Territory’s Assembly by September next year. Replying to a question regarding the verdict, Shinde said, “It’s a verdict of people. The Lal Chowk in Srinagar, where unfurling of Indian flag was a crime, is now free of fear. It is happening due to abrogation of Article 370 in the valley.” Speaking to reporters on the Vidhan Bhavan premises, Shinde thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the step of removing Article 370, adding that the PM did what he promised. Shinde informed the media that a ‘Maharashtra Sadan’ was also coming up in Kashmir.

 

“The Government of India should assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir proceeding towards ‘Akhanda Bharat’ which was the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking bold steps to achieve that dream.” Replying to the jibe by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on driving a ‘tractor’ by the Chief Minister in Juhu Beach in Mumbai, the CM Eknath Shinde said, “How will someone who bulldozed the development of Mumbai know the difference between a ‘tractor’ and a ‘beach comber’?” To mark a cleanliness drive by the State Government at Juhu Beach in Mumbai, Shinde drove a ‘tractor’ on the beach.

 

“The vehicle was a “beach comber” used to clean the shores. The ‘Mahayuti’ is concerned about the environment and as a Chief Minister of the State, it was my responsibility to promote innovative ideas,” said Shinde while interacting with media in Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday. Government of Maharashtra is concerned about farmers and their problems. In recent unseasonal rains, farmers faced losses and the government is standing firmly with them, said the CM. Replying to Thackeray questioning the different stands on Nawab Malik and Praful Patel of NCP, Shinde said the former CM had no right to speak on the issue. Thackeray as CM never removed Malik as minister despite the latter being arrested on serious charges, he said.