Two of my children died in front of my eyes...: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde breaks down in Assembly

Earlier during the day, Shinde won the motion of confidence as 164 MLAs voted in favour of the same, and 99 voted against it.

TN National Desk

Updated Jul 4, 2022, 18:26 IST

Eknath Shinde breaks down in the Maharashtra Assembly

Photo : ANI

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday broke down while delivering his maiden speech as CM in the Maharashtra Assembly. Alleging that there were threats to his family members when he revolted against Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde narrated how he lost two of his children and was backed by Shiv Sena leader late Anand Dighe during the tough times.

"Two of my children died in front of my eyes. That time, Anand Dighe supported me. My family was devastated. Why live? For who to live? I decided to live for my wife and my parents. I realized that my family needed me. I told Dighe saheb, that I cannot work for your organization. He told me that I was meant to work not only for my family but for society," a teary-eyed Shinde told the House.

While Shinde's eldest son is an MP, his two children - a son, 11, and a daughter, seven, died when a boat capsized in the river during their visit to his village.

We were never against you becoming the chief minister: Ajit Pawar told Eknath Shinde

Shinde claimed that he was suppressed by the top leadership of Shiv Sena. Speaking after his government proved a majority in the House, Shinde said that he was informed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar that it was people from within Shiv Sena, who were against Shinde becoming the CM under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

"After the formation of the MVA government, Ajit Pawar told me that an accident took place in your own party (Shiv Sena). We were never against you becoming the chief minister," Shinde told the House.

164 MLAs voted for the motion of confidence, while 99 voted against it on the last day of the special session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

Latest News