Fri Jul 04 19:52:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article version of the provided text:

**Summary:**

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Pune, Maharashtra, where Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s inclusion of “Jai Gujarat” in a speech alongside “Jai Hind” and “Jai Maharashtra” sparked controversy. The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized Shinde for allegedly prioritizing Gujarat, the home state of Shah and Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of “selling Maharashtra to Gujarat.” Shinde defended himself, emphasizing his Marathi roots and accusing the opposition of playing politics ahead of the Mumbai civic elections. Earlier, Shah unveiled a statue of Peshwa Bajirao I at the NDA, praising the Maratha leader’s legacy and urging India to strive for global dominance by 2047.

**News Article:**

**”Jai Gujarat” Remark Ignites Political Firestorm in Maharashtra**

**Pune, July 5, 2025** – Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is facing intense criticism after including “Jai Gujarat” in a speech delivered in Pune, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The remark has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties accusing the Shinde-led government of prioritizing Gujarat, the home state of both Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The controversy erupted during an event attended by Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and both Deputy Chief Ministers. Shinde concluded his address with “Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra! Jai Gujarat!” prompting immediate backlash.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders slammed Shinde, accusing him of becoming a puppet of the central government. “He has forgotten that he is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra,” stated Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. “The process of selling Maharashtra to Gujarat has begun.”

Shinde defended his comments at a press conference, asserting his loyalty to Maharashtra and its language. “We are Marathi-lovers. Is Gujarat a part of Pakistan?” he questioned. He accused the opposition of playing politics in advance of the upcoming Mumbai civic elections.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena retaliated by circulating older videos of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray saying “Jai Gujarat!”, although the opposition clarified that this was from an election rally in Gujarat.

Earlier in the day, Amit Shah unveiled a statue of Peshwa Bajirao I at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, praising the Maratha warrior’s military achievements and his role in carrying forward the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. Shah also urged India to strive for global dominance in all fields by 2047, drawing inspiration from the nation’s historical figures and military operations.

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