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Shinde counters Thackeray allegations at Dussehra rally in Maharashtra

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has accused the opposition of electoral malpractice while announcing drought relief measures. The remarks come as tensions escalate between the Shinde faction and the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led opposition in the state.

LSN India · 21 October 2026

Shinde counters Thackeray allegations at Dussehra rally in Maharashtra

At a Dussehra gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde turned the tables on opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray, responding to allegations of electoral irregularities by leveling counter-accusations of vote theft. The verbal sparring reflects deepening political divisions in Maharashtra ahead of key electoral contests.

Shinde used the platform to announce relief measures targeting farmers in drought-affected regions of the state, positioning the government's focus on agricultural distress. The announcement underscores the administration's efforts to address rural concerns while navigating political opposition.

The Deputy Chief Minister also addressed opposition contentions regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs) and remarks attributed to the Prime Minister, seeking to defend the government's electoral processes and national leadership. The exchanges highlight the polarized political environment in Maharashtra, where competing narratives on governance and electoral integrity dominate public discourse.

The rally served as a significant political gathering where Shinde consolidated messaging ahead of forthcoming elections, balancing policy announcements with direct political engagement against the opposition bloc led by Thackeray.