Thackeray loyalists express angst about party privileging ‘outsiders’, urge introspection

This particular sentiment is being voiced by hardcore Thackeray sainiks who stayed with the party when Eknath Shinde split it in 2022 and walked away with the majority of MLAs

MUMBAI: Following the defection of MLC Sachin Ahir on Tuesday to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the simmering unrest among the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s old guard has come to the fore. A day after party MLC Sunil Shinde expressed a need for introspection on why the defections were happening, MP Sanjay Raut echoed his sentiments, adding that that loyal workers were concerned about the “special treatment” given to certain leaders, including outsiders like Ahir, while they were taken for granted.

MLC Sachin Ahir (in black) arrives for the monsoon session of the state legislature, in Mumbai on Wednesday (Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

Several disgruntled Sena (UBT) workers had been pointing out that Ahir, who joined the undivided Shiv Sena only seven years ago, was given several plum posts in the party. Although he won from the Sena’s traditional stronghold, Worli, only once in 2009 (although he was MLA from nearby Sewri for two terms), he practically dominated the party’s activities there, which had irked several local leaders, including Sunil Shinde and former mayor Kishori Pedenekar.

After Ahir quit the party, Sunil Shinde reminded the leadership that it had preferred Ahir over him and other local leaders while handling Worli affairs. “I defeated him in Worli by over 23,000 votes,” he said. “Worli is a bastion of the Shiv Sena and Thackeray family for decades, and Aaditya Thackeray did not win because of Ahir but because of party loyalists and the reputation of the Thackeray family. I was watching what was happening but did not speak about it as I am too insignificant. But our seniors in the party really need to introspect now.”

Raut pointed out that even Eknath Shinde’s political rise was made possible by the opportunities and authority he got in the Sena. “If Uddhav Thackeray had not given him everything, from posts to power, where would he be?” he asked rhetorically. “He became what he is today because he received all those things from the leadership.”

Former mayor Kishori Pednekar, a member of the undivided Shiv Sena for four decades, opined that loyalists should not be ignored. “The party made Manisha Kayande, who was an outsider, an MLC,” she said. “What was her contribution and how did the party benefit from this? They ignored the claim of loyalist Meena Kambli and chose Kayande over her. Kambli recently joined Eknath Shinde. Sunil Shinde is an old party worker and loyalist. If he is saying something, the party leadership should think over it seriously. Loyalists need to be encouraged now.”

South Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant, while pointing out that the party needed to respond to the sentiments of party workers across Maharashtra, added, “Why only the leadership? Each one of us should introspect. Are we doing what the party expects us to do? Is our behaviour in the interests of the party?”

Aaditya Thackeray did not respond to calls and messages. On Tuesday, he had tried to downplay Sunil Shinde’s statement about introspection, saying, “One needs to understand that it is the BJP poaching our members,” implying that the Thackerays’ leadership was not at fault.

The defection aftermath

On Wednesday, there were rumours that MLC Sunil Shinde, who had vacated his Worli seat for Aaditya Thackery, was also in touch with ruling Shiv Sena leaders. Shinde refuted the speculations. “Some people are deliberately spreading rumours about me,” he said. “I am not going anywhere.”

Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray slammed the defectors at a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s not about the buyers but those who are getting sold,” he said. “If they are willing to sell themselves, the clients are ready. What is going on in politics is dirty and horrible.”