Thane: Amid the continuing tussle between the two rival Shiv Sena camps in Maharashtra, Thackeray has focused on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s home constituency. For the last few months, the family members have been building their cadre in and outside Thane district and working to build a strong base against Shinde in his own bastion.
For example, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray visited Thane in January ahead of the birth anniversary of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe , Shinde’s mentor – and called Shinde a “traitor”. And the next month, he chose Thane district for his first rally after losing the Shiv Sena name and symbol.
Meanwhile, Aditya Thackeray openly challenged Shinde had announced in February that he was ready to face the chief minister in the election from Thane, while last week his mother Rashmi met a party worker who was allegedly thrashed by the Shinde faction here.
The push mirrors Shinde’s own efforts in Mumbai, where Thackeray has traditionally been strong and where most legislators are still with his faction Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Shinde-led Shiv Sena has also not been able to establish a wide network of the branches (local branches) in the capital.
In light of this, Shinde is focusing on setting up base in Mumbai. During an outreach campaign during the 10-day Ganesh festival in August-September last year, he visited “Hundreds of Pandals” across town. he has been opening parallel the branchesappointment of office-bearers and attempt to create a cadre – especially in Worli, Aditya’s assembly constituency.
But the CM still has a lot to do in Mumbai. Similarly Thane- From where Shinde has won four consecutive assembly elections since 2004- poses many challenges for Army (UBT), Even as its activists try to re-energize the cadre and build the party after several office-bearers switch sides, they say they are facing a hostile environment and a lack of trust.
“Thane is a big challenge as it is Shinde’s stronghold and he can exert more pressure on the workers here. we feel isolated, without any support, because the whole system is with him. But we are ready to fight this battle,” Thane of the Army (UBT) Above (Deputy) District President Samidha Mohite told ThePrint.
the branches Those who remain with the Thackeray camp will face an uphill task in the coming election season. To deal with this, party workers have started internal survey and are meeting people from house to house and doing social programs as before.
“Our work to build the party is in full swing. The appointment of office-bearers is underway, and our next step is to reach people’s homes,” said Anish Gadhvi, Thane district spokesperson.
So far five out of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs from Thane district Shakes hands with Shinde. Similarly, of the 67 former councilors of Thane Municipal Corporation, the Thackeray camp claimed 63 were with the Shinde camp, while the Shinde camp told ThePrint that 65 were with them.
“Most ex-corporators are in wait and watch mode. Currently Supreme Court’s decision (on split in the party) Come, we are sure, they will come to us,” Gadhvi said. The apex court has reserved judgment in the matter.
Thane has special significance in the history of Shiv Sena. It was Thane city that gave the party its identity First political success in 1967 when it won 17 out of 40 seats in the civic elections, Dighe is credited with expanding the army’s roots in Thane and its neighboring areas including Kalyan, Dombivli, Ambernath and Bhiwandi.
see A free hand was given in the field, and it was he who groomed Shinde. after his death in 2001Shinde took command in Thane.
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Challenges of a ‘hostile environment’
Aaditya led a protest in Thane on 5 April, demanding justice for a party worker who was allegedly thrashed by Shiv Sena workers over a “derogatory” post about the CM.
At the rally, the Thackeray scion accused the police of inaction, alleging that they did not register an FIR based on the woman’s complaint, while showing a video purportedly going viral.
Army (UBT) branch Employees ThePrint spoke to also made similar allegations. “They are resorting to pressure tactics and failing that, Our workers have been implicated in lawsuitsGadvi said.
“(Our) fear is that the system is in their hands and they have been misusing it for the last 8 months,” former councilor Bhaskar Shetye told ThePrint.
somewhat disputed the branches has been closed and sealed by the police. Kiran Gosalkar said, ‘It is very difficult for us… We have come on the road.’ Chief Shivai’s branch in Thane.
They said branch It was sealed after the Shinde camp tried to capture it.
According to party workers, Shinde is claiming authority over the army. the branches On the ground that it is the original Shiv Sena, which has been recognized by the Election Commission.
“They are pressurizing the one who has not gone with them… I have also been a victim. My son’s business got destroyed. Even the police are not listening to us.
Anuja Panjare, Women’s Head Organization activist The man, who runs a home-cooked food service, said, “My shop was closed. I was told, ‘Come with us and we’ll open your shop,’ but I didn’t go. My shop started operating only after the intervention of MP Rajan Vichare.
Shinde’s side denied these claims.
Naresh Mhaske, former mayor of Thane and a close aide of Shinde, told ThePrint, “This is not true. He said, ‘People are joining us on their own, we are not going and forcing someone. Our recruitment and expansion program is still going on.
road ahead
Shiv Sena (UBT) workers said they may stay for some time now as it is Uddhav’s order.
“There is no point in resorting to any kind of violence in any form; Let them provoke us. UddhavYes The character of the party has changed and it is no longer considered as a party of goons,” Gadvi said.
There is a wave of sympathy for Thackeray in Thane as well, according to an internal survey, office-bearers said, so keeping all challenges aside, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers are focusing on regaining lost ground .
Yuva Sena workers are organizing job fairs and focusing on the youth to take the message forward. “Our work continues in full force. I don’t think he has made much of a dent in our youth army. Sagar Barishetty, Yuva Sena Chief, Shivai Nagar, Thane.
on the ground, the the branches Too divided. Areas under Chief Minister’s constituency and those living in their neighborhood have confidence in themselves but Sena (UBT) workers have to advertise their work to jog people’s memory,
“We are taking our work to the people. We will talk about Uddhavji’s work and go door-to-door to talk to the women of the families,” Amrita Pawar said. deputy head Lokmanya Nagar Branch of Women’s Department Organization.
People are confused and restless, said Sampada Panchal, Above-District Head, Lomanya Nagar Branch. “They don’t know whose fault it is (split in the party) And what happened so we have to tell them our side (of the story).
According to the activists, they have been organizing medical camps, blood donation camps, job fairs and social programs across Thane.
He said they needed to change Shinde’s image of being a grassroots leader and meeting common people, especially on his home turf.
“He has been roaming around for the past few years and giving money to various mandals, helping people in religious events, sending people on religious pilgrimages, but they are now understanding why he is doing this Is. All this was done to propel him to the top. It is all money power and people are realizing it,” said Mohite.
but people turn to Whoever has the power to work for them, confronts Mhaske. “We have money and we can solve people’s problems. They come to us and we are able to provide them solutions.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
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