In the inaugural episode of Leaders Lounge, a powerful new interview series by The Free Press Journal, Member of Parliament Dr. Shrikant Shinde sat down with Executive Editors Afrida Rahman Ali and S. Balakrishnan for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on politics, international diplomacy, Maharashtra's development, and the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
From leading India's multi-party delegation to West Asia and West Africa to defending the Lay Bhandi Yojana, Dr. Shinde spoke with unusual clarity and confidence on why the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction is here to stay — and why Maharashtra will not bow to what he called “false propaganda.”
“India has successfully exposed Pakistan’s proxy war tactics on the international stage,” he said. “Terrorism is not India’s problem alone. The world is no longer turning a blind eye to state-sponsored terror.” He cited Pakistan’s scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as a major diplomatic win.
Reacting to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent visit to the White House, Dr. Shinde struck a note of caution. “Nations act out of self-interest… but the world must not forget 9/11 and where Osama bin Laden was found,” he remarked, urging that strategic decisions must be made with historical memory intact.
Turning to domestic politics, Dr. Shinde staunchly defended his father’s decision to break away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. “He never intended to become Chief Minister,” Shinde said. “It was a bold step rooted in ideology, not ambition.” He took a veiled swipe at the rival Sena (UBT) faction, declaring, “Shiv Sena is not a private limited company anymore. Any karyakarta can rise on merit, there’s no No. 1 or No. 2. It’s a people’s party now.”
On the subject of dynastic politics, Dr. Shinde distanced himself from comparisons to Aditya Thackeray. “We don’t believe in hereditary entitlement. Raj ka beta rajneta banega, only if he earns it through service and merit,” he asserted.
Dr. Shinde also defended the Maharashtra government’s welfare initiatives, including the ambitious Lay Bhandi scheme, amid growing concerns about rising state debt. “Lay Bhandi is not charity, it’s a circular economy that sustains itself while uplifting the needy. Every state carries debt. What matters is how you use it,” he said.
On the ongoing investigation into the Disha Salian case, Dr. Shinde urged patience and respect for due process. “It’s a sensitive, subjudice matter. Let the courts do their job. The truth will come out,” he said.
He was sharply critical of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of undermining India’s global image. “He should step out of George Soros’s shadow. Pakistan has been using his statements to target India,” he claimed.
Highlighting rural development, Dr. Shinde said that Maharashtra’s growth story extends far beyond Mumbai. “From Nagpur to Sindhudurg, transformation is reaching every corner. Development is no longer metro-centric,” he said.
With the upcoming municipal elections in focus, Dr. Shinde confirmed that the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), will contest as a united bloc. “We’re confident of a decisive victory. The people are with us,” he stated.
A trained orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Shinde reflected on his journey from medicine to politics. “Surgery and politics are both full-time commitments. But politics lets me serve people at scale. The party needed a young, educated voice and I stepped up,” he concluded.
