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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 OBC Unifier

Chhagan Bhujbal is known as a prominent OBC face in Maharashtra politics. He is also a good orator and had even acted in several Marathi films in his early days in the politics. He doesn’t hesitate in speaking out his mind and that keeps him involved in some or the other controversy all the time. His acts and words also help him remain in news headlines. It appears as if he loves all this.


Born on October 15, 1947, Chhagan Bhujbal started with a very humble background in Mumbai. With the family roots in Nashik, he used to run a family-owned vegetable shop at Byculla while pursuing his education in engineering. He was also involved in several social activities in the area that led him to join politics under Bal Thackeray. Eventually he became the corporator and then the Mayor of Mumbai. As a prominent Shiv Sena leader, he was known for his fiery speeches and strong organizational skills, which helped him gain popularity among the masses. As Mayor, he gave slogans like ‘Clean Mumbai Green Mumbai’ which became very popular.


Due to internal party politics, Bhujbal switched sides in 1991 and joined the Indian National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Sharad Pawar. He remained loyal to Pawar till 2023 when he left the NCP under Sharad Pawar along with Ajit Pawar and majority of other MLAs of the party. He had served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2009 to 2010 and had been a Cabinet Minister in various capacities, including Public Works, Tourism, and Social Justice during UPA and Mahayuti regimens in the state.


He faced allegations of corruption and misuse of power, which have led to legal battles and investigations. In 2016, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case. However, he consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated. In 2023, he was appointed as the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection in the Eknath Shinde-led government.


While pursuing the politics within the NCP, Bhujbal emerged as a prominent OBC face of the state. He hails from the prominent Mali community. He floated Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad to pursue Mahatma Phule’s social agenda of equality. However, this was the same Bhujbal who, as a Shiv Sena leader, had ‘cleaned’ the Hutatma Smarak (martyre’s memorial at Flora Fountain in Mumbai) with ‘cow urine’ after it was defaced during a Dalit rally just about a couple of years before he joined Congress.


Bhujbal is also known for his keen sense of humour. His speeches in the assembly are spiced with apt anecdotes that make listeners giggle and laugh even as his opponents are hit hard. His standard reply, in jovial manner, whenever a journalist asks him about switching political party remains, “We do it for better prospects!”

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