In a startling revelation, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad alleged on Wednesday that a conspiracy had been hatched to eliminate Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his tenure as the guardian minister of Gadchiroli in the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government. Gaikwad went on to suggest that had Shinde not parted ways with Uddhav Thackeray, he might not have survived this threat.
Shinde, while serving as the guardian minister of Gadchiroli, had taken a firm stance against Naxalites, who subsequently issued threats on his life. As a response, the government convened a meeting at the residence of then-Home Minister Shambhuraj Desai to address the security concerns. It was collectively agreed upon that Shinde should be provided with Z+ security, and his family with Z security, according to Gaikwad’s account. However, a twist occurred when then Chief Minister Thackeray advised Desai not to grant Z+ security to Shinde. Gaikwad raised questions, stating, “What does this imply… that Shinde was to be handed over to the Naxalites to meet his demise? This seems like a plot to eliminate him.”
Shambhuraj Desai, a member of Shinde’s own Shiv Sena party, recalled that when the security request was forwarded to Thackeray for the final approval, the Chief Minister did not make a decision. “Uddhavji informed me that security enhancements were not feasible,” Desai remarked.