‘Don’t take me lightly’: Eknath Shinde’s ‘warning’ amid rumours of Mahayuti rift | India News

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has once again sent a strong message to his political opponents and allies alike, warning them not to underestimate him. Reflecting on his political journey and the 2022 rebellion that reshaped the state’s leadership, Shinde asserted that he is not just any party worker but a disciple of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and his mentor Anand Dighe.
“I have said this earlier too—those who took me lightly… I am a worker, but a worker of Balasaheb and Dighe Saheb, so everyone should treat me in that way,” Shinde told reporters. “When they took me lightly, I overturned the government in 2022 and brought the government of people’s choice.”

Shinde’s rebellion had led to a vertical split in the Shiv Sena, with a majority of MLAs siding with him, ultimately resulting in the collapse of Uddhav Thackeray’s government. His alliance with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis secured them a dominant position in the state, a feat he proudly referenced. “Back then, I had said in my first speech in the Assembly that I and Devendra Fadnavis will win more than 200 seats, and we got 232 seats,” he said. “So, ‘don’t take me lightly’—those who need to understand this signal should understand it.”
His remarks come after he received a death threat via email on Friday. The sender allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb in Shinde’s car. Similar threats were also received at Mantralaya and the JJ Marg Police Station, prompting an investigation.
Addressing the media, Shinde recalled past threats he had faced, particularly during the crackdown on dance bars. “There were threats to kill me, and attempts were made, but I was not afraid. The Naxalites had also threatened me, but I did not give in,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police arrested two suspects—Mangesh Achyutrao Wayal (35) and Abhay Gajanan Shingane (22)—from Buldhana in connection with the threat email. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the threat.

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