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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”.

The Big Dreamer

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

Raj Thackeray

The MNS president Raj Thackeray is eyeing a major role to play after the Assembly elections. His recent decisions, first to field his son Amit from Mahim constituency and not to field a candidate against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, are both indicative of the fact that he is playing his cards very carefully this time around.


Thackeray had declared complete support to PM Narendra Modi and lent an unconditional support to the BJP during Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. He had to face sharp criticism from his cousin Uddhav Thackeray for the feat. Yet he remained firm on his decision. However, he surprised everybody when he announced that he shall go solo in the state assembly elections and shall try to field candidates from all the 288 constituencies.


He has also suffered politically due to such inconsistencies. Yet, the journey is a testament to his commitment to regionalism and the promotion of Marathi identity. While his methods and rhetoric have often sparked controversy, his influence in Maharashtra’s politics is undeniable. Thackeray continues to shape the political discourse in the state, advocating for the rights and interests of the Marathi-speaking population.


Born as Swararaj Shrikant Thackeray on June 14, 1968, the nephew of Bal Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena, picked up his oratory, style, organisational skills and the witty nature of a cartoonist. He began his political journey in the Shiv Sena when he founded the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), the party’s student wing, in the late 1980’s.


Due to his impressive role in the 1990 Assembly elections, political analysts started seeing the hair apparat for the Shiv Sena in him. However, soon cousin Uddhav too joined the politics and gained prominence in the party. Tensions grew between the cousins leading to Raj’s resignation from Shiv Sena in 2005.


In March 2006, Thackeray launched the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional party focused on advocating for the rights and interests of the Marathi-speaking population. The MNS quickly gained attention for its aggressive stance on issues such as the influx of migrants from other Indian states, which Raj argued was diluting the cultural identity of Maharashtra. The party’s 2008 anti-North Indian campaign, where MNS activists targeted migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, led to widespread violence and arrests of party workers. But, this time he was briefly detained and then released on bail. His popularity skyrocketed and his party began protests demanding that business signboards in Mumbai be written in Marathi, reflecting his commitment to promoting the Marathi language and culture. As a result, the party bagged 13 assembly seats in 2009. He also got good foothold in local bodies of Pune, Nashik and Mumbai. However, he failed to keep the momentum.


Thackeray’s charismatic oratory and strong regionalist stance still holds a good chunk of support base for him. It now needs to be seen whether this base helps him to fulfil his dream to become a Kingmaker.

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