Without naming Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and state minister Ganesh Naik on Monday launched a scathing attack, suggesting that the Shiv Sena chief’s political existence could disappear completely if the BJP leadership allowed him to act.
The comments come amid a long-standing rivalry between Naik and Shinde over political influence in the Bombay Metropolitan Region, particularly in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli. Differences have continued even after the BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena allied in Maharashtra and at the Centre.
Naik’s comments also follow the recent municipal election results, in which he expressed dissatisfaction with Mahayuti’s electoral strategy.
Naik made these remarks while speaking in Thane, widely considered Shinde’s political stronghold, during a visit to a Ganesh mandal. “If the BJP gives permission, his name and existence will be erased. I repeat it today,” he said.
At the same time, Naik stressed that the BJP is a disciplined party. “Once an order is given, we carry it out. Even when our minds do not agree, our workers tolerated it and remained silent due to party discipline,” he said.
Referring to the claim that Shiv Sena has control over Thane, Naik said, “No bastion belongs to anyone.” “When I was in another party, we had a mayor in Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander. Thane narrowly fell. But we won the district benches and the zilla parishad,” he said.
Naik also expressed his displeasure with the Mahayuti alliance’s handling of the recently concluded civic elections in the state. “Leaders get posts like MP and MLA. Municipal corporations and councils belong to the workers. Let everyone compete separately. After the results, the party with more corporators should get the mayor’s post, and others should support it,” he said, adding that this was his personal opinion.
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Talking about seat sharing in Navi Mumbai, Naik said Shiv Sena demanded 57 seats. “We were ready to give it 20 to 22. The conversations continued until the last day. Finally, they filled out their forms and we filled out ours. What happened next was for the better,” he said, attacking his ally.
Naik said he conveyed his views to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavisbut no final decision was made. “He didn’t say yes or no,” the BJP leader added.
Meanwhile, Naik’s comments provoked a strong response from the Shinde sector.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said: “No matter how much they talk, Eknath Shinde It’s strong. Thane is the stronghold of Shiv Sena. Shinde and Shrikant Shinde have made it stronger. It’s easy to talk, but Shinde has proven his mettle in the Assembly and municipal elections. The Shiv Sena is the second largest party in the state.”
