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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”.

Congress’ bête noire!

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

Prakash Ambedkar

He accuses Sharad Pawar of having met Dawood, he accuses Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray of cheating the BJP and having secret meeting with Amit Shah in recent times, he accuses the Hindutva forces of inciting violence at Bhima Koregaon, and he is not afraid of sharing stage with leaders of Maoists front organizations. Yet, if one asks who is afraid of him the most, that political organization is indeed the Congress. Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar is the one single force that stands between the grand old party of India and its favourite vote-bank – the Dalits.


Born on May 10, 1954, Prakash Ambedkar is a lawyer, and a writer. He was Rajya Sabha MP between 1990 and 1996, and Lok Sabha MP from Akola in Vidarbha between 1998 and 2004. But, he is known more for various social movements that he had been supporting or initiating. He is also known for forming alliances of smaller Dalit parties to ensure it comes up as a major force in the state politics.


In 2019, he founded the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), a political party aimed at representing the interests of Dalits, Muslims, and other smaller marginalized communities. The VBA has gained significant traction in Maharashtra, particularly among those who feel excluded from the mainstream political discourse. The party’s primary objective is to address issues of social and economic inequality and to provide a platform for the voices of the underprivileged. But, it was seen as the vote cutter by the mainstream political parties like Congress, who always took Dalit votes for granted. They took the major brunt while recording its lowest numbers in the state assembly at 54.


While Ambedkar’s tenure in both houses of the Indian Parliament was marked by his unwavering commitment to social justice and equality, he is known for his strategic political organizing, often referred to as the “Akola Pattern.” This approach focuses on mobilizing support from various marginalized groups to create a unified front against social and economic injustices. The Akola Pattern has been instrumental in building a strong political base for the VBA in Maharashtra.


Among the various social movements and protests he supported or initiated, are mass rallies and demonstrations to address issues such as the Rohith Vemula suicide case, the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan, and the Bhima Koregaon violence. In 2017, along with his son Sujat, Prakash Ambedkar relaunched “Prabuddh Bharat” (Enlightened India), a newspaper founded by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. This initiative aims to continue the mission of spreading awareness about social justice and equality.

He often talks about next CM of Maharashtra coming from the VBA.

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