‘People Point Fingers At Me’: Eknath Shinde Warns Shiv Sena Leaders To Stay Humble Amid Slapgate Controversy

A meeting held by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde saw him warning his party leaders to consider themselves "workers" first and foremost, urging them to keep firm control over their tempers and to "not let success go to their heads." This caution came in the wake of a controversy involving the Shiv Sena, which Shinde heads, after its legislator from Buldhana, Sanjay Gaikwad, assaulted a staff member of the MLA canteen, accusing him of serving stale food. The incident, dubbed the “slapgate over dal” in Maharashtra, has drawn a strong response from Shinde, saying discipline and humility within the party ranks.

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"In the past few days, certain incidents have taken place. People don't point fingers at you - they point at me for what you do. They ask me: "What are your MLAs up to?" he said, according to the NDTV report. 

"You all are my people. We are one family. Your disrepute is my disrepute. Don't waste your energy on unnecessary matters. Speak less, work more," he added. 

According to the NDTV report,  the Deputy Chief Minister had also issued a veiled warning.

"Some ministers had to step down due to public backlash. I don't like to take action against members of my own family. But don't compel me to do it. I expect discipline and accountability from each of you," he said. 

"I don't behave like a boss. I don't get angry. I act like a karyakarta (party worker) - and you should too. Don't let your success get to your head. No matter how many positions you hold, always remember: you are first and foremost a worker," the sources quoted him as saying, according to the NDTV report. 

"We have achieved a lot in a very short span. The people are with us - and because of that, some are now trying to malign us. Be alert and cautious. The coming time will test us. Public life demands discipline - and we must uphold it," the Shiv Sena chief had also pointed out, sources said.

MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who admitted to the assault on live TV, now faces a police case but maintains that he has done nothing wrong and does not regret his actions.

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Additionally, corruption allegations have surfaced against the party’s Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod. Shirsat has come under fire from the Opposition after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing a bag full of cash in his bedroom.