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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”.

Confident Shinde Gets Ready

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Shinde

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appears super confident of getting back into the seat after the assembly elections. More importantly, none of the analysts, who had written him off after his rebellion against MVA government under Uddhav Thackeray, would dare to do so today.


Two and a half years ago, when the Shiv Sena fractured into two factions and Eknath Shinde aligned with the BJP, backed by 40 MLAs, many political observers viewed it as the conch-call heralding the end of his political career. The sentiment was that Shinde, as Maharashtra chief minister, would be a pawn in the hands of the BJP and his faction would soon see a mass exodus to the Uddhav Thackeray camp. But, Shinde not just defied those prophecies, but has carved out a distinct identity and presented a significant challenge to the Opposition.


Shinde’s deep understanding of the administration and deeper commitment towards the people helped him get the necessary grip over the administration. Moreover, his ability to tirelessly work round the clock and sharp memory coupled with persistence in follow-ups helped him tighten the grip and make the administration run faster. The secret of his confidence lies in this work culture that he has followed over past two years. His tireless work for the people shall sail him through the assembly polls.


Shinde was elected to the Thane municipal corporation in 1997 for the first time and became leader of party in the corporation in 2001. After the death of his mentor Anand Dighe he filled the vacuum in the party and became MLA in 2004. Those were the tough times for the Shiv Sena when first in 2005 senior leader and former CM Narayan Rane quit the party to join the Congress and in 2006 Raj Thackeray separated to float his new party. Shinde stood firm with Uddhav Thackeray in those tough times. He got rewarded, in a sense, in 2014 when his son got party ticket to contest Lok Sabha election from Kalyan, which he could comfortably win in the Modi wave.


After the BJP and the Shiv Sena contested the assembly elections separately that year and Sena joined the government latter, Shinde was given the charge of MSRDC under the PWD department. The MSRDC was entrusted with several big ticket infra projects including Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi corridor and Atal Setu. His efficiency in getting the projects through brought him closer to the then CM Devendra Fadnavis. Shide was humiliated several times by Thackeray and people close to him, which didn’t leave any option for him but to leave the party and the government. He surprised even the BJP when engineered vertical split within the Shiv Sena. Not it needs to be seen whether he is able to throw more surprises when the assembly results will be out next month.

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