Who is Mumbai’s ‘Rehman Dakait’? Shinde’s Dhurandhar jibe fuels buzz before BMC polls

Eknath Shinde

In a veiled attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday invoked characters from the film Dhurandhar to accuse his rivals of looting Mumbai and promised a political counterattack by the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Speaking during the “last week resolution” debate in the Maharashtra legislature, Shinde referred to a fictional character, “Rehman Dakait”, alleging that such figures had “robbed Mumbai’s treasury” during the Shiv Sena’s long control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Without naming Thackeray directly, Shinde said the “Dhurandhar Mahayuti” would give a “befitting reply”, adding that the current phase of politics was only a “trailer” and that the “asli picture” was yet to come.

The remarks come ahead of elections to key municipal corporations, including the politically crucial BMC.

Using sarcasm, shayari and pointed barbs, Shinde also targeted Thackeray over his limited presence in the legislature, saying some leaders could not sit in the House even for two hours. “Some people treat the legislature like tourism,” he said, in an apparent reference to Thackeray, who is a member of the Legislative Council.

Shinde accused the Opposition of failing to raise issues concerning the common people during the recently concluded winter session, apart from repeatedly demanding the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition.

Taking aim at Thackeray’s criticism of the post of deputy chief minister, Shinde recalled being termed “non-constitutional” when he became chief minister. “Earlier you wanted me removed as chief minister, now you want me removed as deputy chief minister,” he said.

Referring to ideological differences, Shinde said a person who “traded trust and ideology for power” could not claim to be a true heir to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s Hindutva legacy.

Listing achievements of the Mahayuti government, Shinde highlighted welfare schemes and development initiatives, including the introduction of a 21-page chapter on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the CBSE curriculum. He dismissed criticism over neglect of Vidarbha, claiming Gadchiroli was emerging as a major steel hub with proposed investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore.

He also reiterated that the Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana would not be discontinued and said a decision on increasing the monthly stipend to Rs 2,100 would be taken at an appropriate time.

On Mumbai’s infrastructure, Shinde said the government was fulfilling Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream through redevelopment of old buildings and promised pothole-free roads and a pollution-free city.

Shinde said becoming chief minister was never his agenda and that he had always focused on addressing people’s issues. “People made me chief minister and deputy chief minister,” he said, adding that Maharashtra would play a leading role in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a USD 5 trillion economy.

(With PTI inputs)