6 MPs dint join us for personal gain: Eknath Shinde after LS speaker recognizes rebel MPs merger

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the merger recognition by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that they did not join the party for personal self-interest but rather to bring developments into their constituencies. Rejecting the allegations he said, the MPs joined to bring development to their constituencies and that the party would support them

Addressing the media, Shinde said, “If I were to tell you that the six MPs who joined us did not do so for personal gain, you might dismiss it as a lie. Those making these allegations see nothing but money because their mindset is one of taking, not giving.”

Defending the merger Shinde asserted that they joined the party because they wanted to bring development to their constituencies and that the party would provide them with development funds as well.

“We even facilitated a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, and we will ensure that the departmental work relevant to their areas is completed. The narrative is always the same: if someone leaves, the claim is that they took money. When they are with that faction, they are considered good; when they leave, they are deemed bad,” he added.

The decision was welcomed nearly a month after the six MPs decided to switch camps, strengthening the party’s strength in the Lok Sabha to 13 ahead of the Monsoon Session starting on July 20.

The MPs who joined the Shinde camp are Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi) and Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East).