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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

MPs rebellion ‘splits’ even some families

Mumbai: Amid the rebellion by 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, at least two of them have shot into the spotlight, but for entirely different and non-political reasons – Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Dina-Patil (Mumbai North-East). Despite their fathers currently in the process of shifting loyalties to the Shiv Sena headed by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the son and daughter, respectively, of both these MPs have chosen to stay anchored firmly with SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray....

MPs rebellion ‘splits’ even some families

Mumbai: Amid the rebellion by 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, at least two of them have shot into the spotlight, but for entirely different and non-political reasons – Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Dina-Patil (Mumbai North-East). Despite their fathers currently in the process of shifting loyalties to the Shiv Sena headed by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the son and daughter, respectively, of both these MPs have chosen to stay anchored firmly with SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray. They are Krishna Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Rajool Sanjay Patil and both are emerging politicians in their own right and with politically bright prospects. Rajool is a SS (UBT) Municipal Corporator from Ward No. 114 (Bhandup) in her father’ constituency, and Krishna is the official Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the Nanded Local Authorities constituency in the Maharashtra Legislature’s upper house. However, the abrupt rebellion by their fathers - along with four other SS (UBT) MPs has raised question marks on their own loyalties and political moorings – with the MLCs election results scheduled on Monday. A Deputy Leader from Pune guardedly said that “the same norms under the anti-defection laws for parliament would apply” at all levels, preventing the duo (Krishna and Rajool) from following in their fathers’ footsteps. “After all, there are many examples where in the same family, different members owe allegiance to different political parties. They may have made their personal political calculations and survival before taking any plunge blindly in the name of ideology,” the leader told ‘The Perfect Voice’, requesting anonymity. A Mumbai leader averred that in case the political sand slips - for whatever reasons - in the ongoing defection drama, at least all in the family may not have to pay the price for a botch-up, as “these youngsters still have a long road ahead in politics”. On June 18, when Ashtikar’s name came among the six potential turncoats, Krishna faced an embarrassing situation as the MLC polling was underway that day. Krishna quickly mouthed bites to proclaim his allegiance to Thackeray and an equally bewildered Rajool - elected as a BMC corporator just six months ago - instantly declared her support to SS (UBT) and even joined a protest against her father’s decision. Both the youngsters confronting a peculiar family-cum-political divide put up brave faces and publicly claimed that they had “absolutely no inkling” of the political coup currently underway and are firmly with Thackeray. For the present, however, the SS (UBT) camp is somewhat relieved that the damage caused by the proposed exit of the 6 MPs has not percolated to their family members, affording it time to take some proactive measures to prevent a similar scenario in the coming times. SS (UBT) Deputy Leader dares MP’s son A skeptical SS (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare and others immediately pounced on Krishna Ashtikar, questioning the credibility of his words after his father and party MP from Hingoli Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar’s plans to switch sides. “Go and perform your father’s funeral rituals (pind-daan) immediately to prove your claims that you are different from your father…” a livid Andhare dared Krishna, who retorted by saying that he is “answerable only to the SS (UBT) supremo and none else”.

All Eyes on Uddhav’s Show

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Uddhav

After an almost lost legal battle to regain control over party and with allies who are reluctant to project him as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance, Uddhav Thackeray is all set to fight the do-or-die battle of his political career in this assembly election. The question remains whether he will be able to shed the image of an incompetent CM and repeat the charisma he shown in 2014.


After BJP under Narendra Modi swept the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the results of Maharashtra assembly had become clear and Uddhav Thackeray had sensed that his party stands a good chance to get a bigger share in power. The state BJP was trying to shed its ‘younger brother’ image within the alliance, which didn’t go well with Shiv Sena and both the parties contested assembly polls independently. That was the first assembly election when Bal Thackeray was not there to guide the party. Uddhav’s strategy to severe ties with the BJP won 63 MLA to his party and his leadership was established in the state politics in real sense. If he is able to repeat a similar performance this time, his chances of ruling the Maharashtra once again would be very high. But, if he couldn’t do it that might mark an end to his political career.


In 2014 Uddhav reluctantly allowed his party to join the BJP government under Devendra Fadnavis, but kept criticizing the government over an array of issues including the Metro 3 car shed at Aarey. Ultimately in 2019 he walked out of the alliance over the issue of rotational chief ministership. The Congress and NCP, for whom chances to get back to power were meek, sensed a chance and made Uddhav head the coalition government. Though much of next two and half years of his tenure as chief minister were wasted due to COVID-related restrictions, his government came under heavy fire for corruption from the outside, by opposition BJP, and for not following Hindutva agenda, from within, by likes of Eknath Shinde and others.


Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to resign without going in for floor test came under heavy criticism from all sides. However, he was undeterred. “In a democracy, heads are counted to show numbers. I am not interested in that. I don’t want to play these games,” he said tendering his resignation to the governor in June 2022. While many interpret this as his unwillingness to accept challenges and fight fiercely, others feel that this shows his different style, where he would think over the situation and meticulously plan the micro strategy to overcome the adversity.


If the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) performs well in the assembly polls, it would bolster the party’s claims of being the only inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s legacy. However, the challenges are huge.

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