Congress created fear among Muslims, distrust between communities: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday slammed the Congress for creating fear among Muslims on various issues and trying to create a rift between them and HindusHe was speaking at the Shiv Senas first meeting of minorities in the state in Shanmukhananda Hall in MumbaiThose Muslims who respect this state and country are ours However it was the Congress that always ensured a rift between the two communities Hindus and Muslims Keeping both the communities away from each other creating a rift and indulging in votebank politics are something the Congress has done for years CM Eknath Shinde allegedDuring communal tensions in Mumbai and Thane Shiv Sena workers have not only protected temples but also mosques If we were against the minority community we would not have made Abdul Sattar agriculture minister We respect all communities he addedOn Saturday CM Eknath Shinde during a shaasan aplya dari government at your doorstep programme said the Maharashtra government is taking all efforts to make Gadchiroli free of Naxalite violenceHe said 670 lakh of the 11 lakh population of the district were registered beneficiaries of the programme and asserted his government would reach out to every single person to bring about welfareBeneficiaries have received tractors harvesters cycles godowns caste certificates under the shaasan aplya dari scheme There is focus on womens empowerment the CM said at the event where he and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar launched various projectsA steel plant being set up in Gadchiroli has provided direct and indirect employment to 4000 persons and 20000 more jobs will be created once a proposed second steel plant comes up Shinde saidNaxailte activities have reduced considerably in Gadchiroli and the state government is determined to make the district free of Naxalite violence he saidShinde said the Union government was giving financial assistance for the states welfare schemes and alleged the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation under Uddhav Thackeray did not approach the Centre for assistance due to ego tusslesThe induction of Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar as deputy CM would speed up development of Maharashtra Shinde claimedPawar led a vertical split in the NCP on July 2 and joined the Shinde government along with eight MLAs including Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse PatilSpeaking at the event Pawar said the country was progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiPawar said he and his NCP colleagues had joined the Shinde government to support the vision of development and progress of PM ModiWith inputs from PTI