A recent advertisement by Shiv Sena, featuring A picture of PM Modi And CM of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde surfaced on the internet claiming that the Now chief minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde is more popular among the public than Devendra Fadnavis.
Backing of the claim
The advertisement’s claims were backed by a survey by ZEE TV Matrize which stated that 26.1 per cent of the public in the state wants Eknath Shinde as their CM while 23.2% want Fadnavis. 49.3% of the public in Maharashtra is also claimed to be in support of the BJP- Shiv Sena Alliance.
Missing from the AD: Balasaheb Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis
The ad also witnessed the absence of two important people Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, an important face of the election and Shiv Sena founder and supremo Bal sahab Thackrey. The absence of Bal Thackrey from the Ad also raised the questions like – Is it Modi-Shah’s Shiv Sena now?
Kolhapur Event Cancellation
An event held in Kolhapur on Tuesday was cancelled by Devendra Fadnavis on health grounds fuelled fire about any rifts in the party but was later clarified by BJP- Shiv Sena saying that there was no politics involved.
Positive ratings to both Shinde and Fadnavis
According to CM Eknath Shinde, the advertisement projected that both of them have received positive ratings. The CM also stated that the two of them are leading the state and taking it forward. Both of them are focused on the overall development of the state and are taking the party forward together. They are on people’s minds and that is important.
NCP Leader Ajit Pawar’s Reaction
NCP leader Ajit Pawar seemed amazed by the AD, He claimed to have not seen any such advertisement previously which did not have any mentions of Bal Sahab Thakrey as the Shiv Sena has always claimed themselves to be the soldiers of Bal Sahab Thakrey.