Kanhaiya Kumar Targets Eknath Shinde, Calls Him 'BJP Stooge', Says INDIA Bloc Remains United

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde , accusing him of lacking political independence and acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) .

Addressing a press conference, Kumar alleged that Shinde had effectively "surrendered" to Union Home Minister Amit Shah , questioning his autonomy as a political leader. "What is Eknath Shinde's own identity? If Amit Shah asks him to stand on one leg, he will do it," Kumar remarked, claiming that the Shiv Sena chief no longer exercised independent political judgment.

The Congress leader also challenged Shinde to publicly criticise Amit Shah and industrialist Gautam Adani , saying he should do so if he had the courage.

Commenting on the INDIA bloc , Kumar said the opposition alliance continues to remain united on broader political issues despite ongoing speculation over possible political realignments in Maharashtra involving NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT) .

He clarified that the alliance was built around a minimum common programme aimed at, in his words, protecting the country from the politics of "hatred and loot." However, he stressed that this did not mean the Congress dictated the decisions of its allies.

"Who meets whom and who joins hands with whom is their political freedom," Kumar said, adding that constituent parties are free to take independent political decisions while remaining committed to the alliance's broader objectives.

His remarks come amid renewed discussions over shifting political equations in Maharashtra, where opposition parties continue to explore strategies ahead of upcoming electoral battles.