LMOTY 2025: Eknath Shinde Responds to Jayant Patil’s ‘Adjustment’ Remark, Says, "No Regrets About Becoming DCM"

Mumbai, Maharashtra (March 19, 2025): At the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2025 in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was interviewed by Jayant Patil, the state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also attended the event.

During the interview, Patil took a jibe at Shinde asking if he had "adjusted" from the position of chief minister to deputy chief minister. He pointed out Shinde's shift in roles with a sharp comment.

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In response, Shinde took a dig at Patil saying, "When we made the change, there was a reason behind it. You accused us of causing discomfort, but it gave many others a reason to be uncomfortable." He further teased Patil saying, "You said 'one number and two numbers' but that’s not the case. You should have been the one asking questions, not answering them."

Shinde continued, "When I was CM, I considered myself a common man. Even now as DCM, I see myself as dedicated to the common man. There’s no regret about becoming DCM. But, Jayant, did you suddenly become quiet?"

Patil had earlier questioned the adjustment of both Fadnavis and Shinde to their respective new roles. Fadnavis responded, "I understand why you aimed that comment about some people adjusting to the deputy chief minister role. It’s aimed at Ajitdada. He is about to break the record for deputy chief minister. But some people keep calling him the forever deputy chief minister. There’s no need for that. We wish him well," Fadnavis said.