Following Rajan Salvi's Departure, Another Uprising in SS(UBT)? Discontented Konkan MLA Adds to Party Challenges
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Synopsis
The rebel factor affecting Maharashtra's political alliances persists as Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faces challenges from discontented members, particularly from the Konkan region. The recent departure of Rajan Salvi and dissatisfaction among party MLA Bhaskar Jadhav signal ongoing turmoil ahead of local elections.
Key Takeaways
- Rajan Salvi leaves SS (UBT) to join Shinde's faction.
- Bhaskar Jadhav expresses dissatisfaction with party leadership.
- Uddhav Thackeray responds to grievances by dismissing key officials.
- Party aims for damage control with an upcoming meeting.
- SS (UBT) faces challenges from external poaching efforts.
Mumbai, Feb 15 (NationPress) The rebel factor that influenced both the Mahayuti and MahVikasAgahdi (MVA) alliance during the Maharashtra Assembly elections is still causing significant challenges for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The latest developments threaten to undermine the party's stronghold in the Konkan region, which was once firmly under the united Shiv Sena's dominance, established by Bal Thackeray.
Rajan Salvi, a three-time legislator and prominent leader of SS (UBT), severed his ties with the party on Friday and joined the faction led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. His departure, along with hundreds of supporters, is a major blow to the beleaguered party, which is struggling to maintain cohesion amidst alleged attempts of poaching by the Shiv Sena.
The recent unrest within the party is fueled by growing dissatisfaction from the sitting MLA of the Konkan region, Bhaskar Jadhav. Sources indicate that Bhaskar Jadhav is frustrated with the SS (UBT)'s operational methods and feels consistently ignored in the party's decision-making processes, particularly concerning the campaign strategy for the upcoming local body elections.
Bhaskar Jadhav has reportedly raised his concerns with the party leadership regarding the "arbitrary and overbearing" approach of ex-MP Vinayak Raut.
Rajan Salvi has also voiced similar concerns about Raut's management style, leading him to switch allegiance to the Shinde camp.
In response to the complaints, Uddhav Thackeray summoned Vinayak Raut to Matoshree on Saturday. Raut defended himself by pointing out the "anti-party activities" of certain leaders, including Rajan Salvi, arguing that these actions could jeopardize the party's prospects in the upcoming elections.
What highlights the increasing tension within the party is that instead of addressing the grievances of dissenters like the disgruntled Ratnagiri legislator, the leadership has cracked down on his close associates and supporters.
Uddhav Thackeray dismissed three key party officials from Ratnagiri – Rajendra Mahadik (Ratnagiri co-in-charge), Vinas Chalke (district head), and Rohan Bane, all reportedly close allies of the sitting MLA.
In the meantime, the party has scheduled a meeting for Ratnagiri leaders and workers on Sunday, aiming to address their concerns and potentially reconcile with the discontented members.
This damage control initiative could be a strategic move to appease the discontented factions ahead of the civic polls. However, the ongoing 'Operation Tiger' orchestrated by the Shinde Sena remains a significant obstacle for Shiv Sena (UBT).
Historically, the original Shiv Sena held immense influence in Maharashtra's coastal areas, including Konkan and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), excluding Mumbai. The 2024 Assembly elections saw the party suffer a historic defeat, leaving it with a mere one seat out of the 39 available in the region.
