Uddhav Thackeray Faces Setback as Senior Member Resigns Before BMC Elections

Mumbai, Feb 17 (NationPress) - The Shiv Sena UBT has encountered another significant setback on its home turf, as Jitendra Janawale, the deputy vibhagpramukh of Bandra West, announced his resignation from the party just days before the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. He plans to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on February 20.

In an emotional statement, Janawale expressed, “I’m sorry sir. I’m fatigued by the ongoing organisational mismanagement. I have decided to resign.” He was among the first to carry the Mashal (flaming torch) to party leader Uddhav Thackeray’s Matoshree residence following the Supreme Court’s decision.

In a heartfelt letter to Thackeray, Janawale accused the party legislator and Vibhagpramukh of deliberately excluding him from party activities in Bandra West. “I am intentionally kept out of party responsibilities. Despite voicing my concerns, no action has been taken,” he stated, adding, “Sir, forgive me. I am resigning from my position as there has been a conspiracy by senior party officials to sideline me and turn me into a political target.”

Janawale recounted, “In the last municipal elections, I left my job and contested vigorously against the BJP. I lost by a narrow margin, but remained undeterred, continuing my public service efforts.” He had hoped to once again raise the saffron flag in his ward 71 of the Vile Parle Assembly constituency, but lamented that the Vibhag Pramukh, Anil Parab, had kept him away from the Shakha for six years.

“I repeatedly approached Parab to reinstate me to the Shakha and provide me with responsibilities, but was only met with promises that never materialized,” he claimed.

“I faced humiliation in the Vile Parle Legislative Assembly meetings for not being a local office bearer. It was evident that these exclusions were intentional. Nonetheless, I continued my dedicated work for the organization,” he added.

He recalled discussing these issues with Uddhav Thackeray and former minister Aaditya Thackeray at Matoshree, expressing sorrow over the ineffective organisational practices, which remained unresolved.

“If this is the experience of a dedicated Shiv Sainik like me, who has faced police brutality and actively participated in organizational efforts, what is the true criterion for inclusion?” he questioned, voicing his frustrations regarding the current state of affairs within Shiv Sena UBT.

“I am exhausted by the ongoing organizational mismanagement, and as a Shiv Sainik, I cannot serve as an office bearer under duress or outside the Shakha. Instead of waiting to see how long I will be overlooked, I am tendering my resignation from the Deputy Vidbhagpramukh position with a heavy heart,” said Janawale.

Janawale’s resignation is significant as the Shiv Sena UBT continues to grapple with the fallout from their recent Assembly election losses. Despite multiple departures of party functionaries, the party is struggling to maintain unity and prepare for the impending BMC elections.

This presents a crucial challenge for Shiv Sena UBT to uphold its dominance while facing stiff competition from the BJP and Shiv Sena, both ramping up their election preparations.

Janawale’s departure comes amid a wave of resignations, with three-term legislators Rajan Salvi and Subhash Bane also leaving Shiv Sena UBT to join the Eknath Shinde-led faction.