Latest news with #Shinde-led
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mahayuti meets in Nashik to discuss strategy for civic polls
Nashik: In a bid to strengthen coordination ahead of the upcoming local body elections, the city unit chiefs of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, key parties of the Mahayuti alliance, met on Saturday at the NCP's Rashtrawadi Bhawan. The meeting focused on strategies for the municipal polls, including the possibility of contesting jointly or independently. The meeting was attended by BJP city unit chief Sunil Kedar, NCP's Ranjan Thakre, and Shiv Sena's Praveen Tidme. "We unanimously decided to ensure we take to the masses the works done by the state and central govt so that people understand the benefit of the Mahayuti being in power. We want the Mahayuti to prevail in Nashik city as well. We all will be working towards the same," said Kedar. Shiv Sena's Tidme echoed the sentiment, emphasizing development as the shared objective. "The state is functioning under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Since the goal was the development of the city, we have decided to strengthen coordination at the local levels and strengthen the Mahayuti and contest the elections united," he said. However, the decision on whether to contest the polls jointly or separately has been left to the state leadership. "There is no second thought that the state leadership decision will be followed in totality. All three parties are therefore working on both possibilities," Kedar added. The formation of the committee comes amid intensified outreach by the BJP and Shiv Sena to woo workers from Shiv Sena (UBT), with the NCP seen trailing in such efforts. In the previous civic polls, BJP won 65 seats, the then-united Shiv Sena secured 35, and the NCP managed six. A significant number of former Shiv Sena corporators have since joined the Shinde-led Sena or the BJP.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP-UBT reunion? Uddhav Thackeray meets Devendra Fadnavis day after CM's 'invite'; leaders hold 20-minute meeting
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur on December 17, 2024 --- Image credit: ANI NEW DELHI: A day after Devendra Fadnavis , in a light-hearted comment, invited Uddhav Thackeray to "come to the ruling side," the Shiv Sena UBT chief met the Maharashtra chief minister on Thursday. According to the ANI, the meeting between Fadnavis and Thackeray took place in the office of Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde. Their meeting lasted about 20 minutes. — ANI (@ANI) On Wednesday, Fadnavis said that Thackeray "can come to the ruling side in a different way." While addressing the Maharashtra assembly, the CM said that till 2029, there is no scope for the BJP to come to the opposition side. "At least till 2029, there is no scope for us to come there (opposition). Uddhav Ji can think about the scope of coming to this side (ruling party) and that can be thought about in a different way, but there is absolutely no scope left for us to come there (opposition)," Fadnavis said. The Shiv Sena and BJP's alliance bloomed till 2014. But, their 25-year partnership hit a rough patch during the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections due to a seat-sharing dispute. And finally in 2019, after winning the election, Uddhav ditched BJP and joined hands with Congress. However, Fadnavis had his revenge two and a half years later when Eknath Shinde revolted against Uddhav and split the Shiv Sena. Since then, Fadnavis has been with the Shinde Sena. Eknath Shinde, who served as chief minister for over two years after the 2022 coup, was reluctant to hand over the reins back to Fadnavis in 2024 after their alliance got an overwhelming mandate from the people of the state. Fadnavis's statement came at a time when Uddhav Thackeray has intensified his attacks on the BJP and the Shinde-led government over the three-language policy, and when speculation about a patch-up between the estranged Thackeray cousins is gaining traction. Speculation has been mounting over the possible collaboration between UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), especially after July 5, when Raj and Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage for the first time in two decades. T he rare show of unity came during a joint celebration of the Maharashtra government's decision to reverse two controversial orders mandating Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools. Back in April, Raj Thackeray had already fuelled talk of a possible thaw, calling their past disagreements 'trivial' and stressing that uniting for the cause of the Marathi manoos shouldn't be difficult. Uddhav Thackeray echoed a similar tone shortly after, saying he was open to reconciliation—so long as it didn't include those acting against Maharashtra's interests.
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Hedging bets or posturing? In 1st social engineering attempt, Shinde Sena ties up with Ambedkar grandson
Analysts, however, say, Shinde's 'Bhimshakti' alliance is mere posturing at a time when the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is facing power tussles with ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its image has suffered a beating due to back-to-back controversies stirred by its leaders. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Wednesday clinched an alliance with the Republican Sena, a political outfit led by Anandraj Ambedkar, Dr B.R. Ambedkar's grandson. Mumbai: In preparation for the local body polls expected to be held across Maharashtra this year or early next year, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken a leaf out of his mentor, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's book, by getting a 'Bhimshakti' in his corner. But whether it will yield any political advantage remains to be seen. Ahead of the 2012 civic polls, the undivided Shiv Sena under Bal Thackeray along with its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forged an alliance with Ramdas Athavale's Republican Party of India (RPI), despite the Shiv Sena's strained past with the Dalit community. The gambit had somewhat paid off at the ballot boxes. Political commentator Hemant Desai said, 'Eknath Shinde feels like his party's image has been getting maligned, and is looking for ways to give it a boost ahead of local body polls. He also wants to show that his party has a solid existence and can bring together leaders from diverse communities. But, politically, there will be no impact of this alliance. It just helps in posturing and spinning a narrative.' In the past month, leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena such as Sanjay Gaikwad, Sanjay Shirsat and Sanjay Rathod have faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour or graft. On Monday, Deputy CM Shinde also warned his party cadre to not cause him any embarrassment. The BJP, meanwhile, has taken political advantage of these controversies, distancing itself from them in trying to win the perception battle. Also read: Shinde & Thackeray revive Shiv Sena's classic 'Marathi manus, sons of soil' pitch ahead of BMC polls Shinde's first attempt at social engineering Dr Sanjay Patil, researcher at Mumbai University's politics and civics department, told ThePrint, 'The local body polls are still some time away. The alliance is unlikely to bring any political gains as such. Prakash Ambedkar's name and party still has some following in parts of Maharashtra, but Anandraj Ambedkar has not developed the same kind of following. He has hardly spoken convincingly on issues or made any dent during elections.' The significance of the tie-up, however, lies in the fact that this is Eknath Shinde's first concrete attempt at social engineering, Patil said. Prakash and Anadraj Ambedkars are both grandsons of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Anandraj Ambedkar had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Amravati constituency, getting just 1.6 percent of the total votes polled. Prakash Ambedkar had contested the same election from Akola and lost too, but had clinched 23.59 percent of total votes. A tie-up with the 'legacy of blood' Post the 2012 alliance when Athavale came to the BJP-Shiv Sena fold, Athavale has remained loyal to the BJP and has been a minister of state in all three cabinets of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Wednesday, while announcing his party's alliance with Anandraj Ambedkar's outfit, Shinde recalled Bal Thackeray's 'Bhim Shakti-Shiv Shakti' formula, but emphasised more on Anandraj Ambedkar's legacy of being Dr BR Ambedkar's grandson. He said, 'We are two armies. One is an army that runs on the legacy of the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray, while the other is an army that runs on the legacy of the blood of Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. And that's why we will get along really well.' On his part, Anandraj Ambedkar said his outfit was allying with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena unconditionally. 'We have decided to go with him unconditionally. The only condition is that Eknathrao should include Ambedkarite karyakartas in power and he has given us this word,' Ambedkar said. In 2022, Uddhav Thackeray too had looked back on his father's 'Bhimshakti-Shiv Shakti' formula by allying with Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The alliance, however, did not work out within the broader Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance comprising the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Prakash Ambedkar's party ended up contesting independently, amid allegations of the VBA being the Mahayuti's B-team, and suffered a drubbing. The Mahayuti comprises the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Shinde said, the alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the VBA did not work out within the larger MVA because 'MVA was formed for selfish reasons'. 'We have faith in each other. Our karyakartas are in sync so there should be no such problem in the Mahayuti,' he said. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Ahead of BMC polls, Fadnavis doubles down on scandal-ridden Shinde Sena MLAs but stops short of action
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Uddhav ji can come to the ruling side': Fadnavis offers, says BJP not going to be in opposition 'at least till 2029'
Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray "can come to the ruling side in a different way," hinting at a possible coalition between the Bharatiya Janata Party and UBT. While addressing the Maharashtra Assembly, the CM said that till 2029, there is no scope for the BJP to come to the opposition side. "At least till 2029, there is no scope for us to come there (opposition). Uddhav Ji can think about the scope of coming to this side (ruling party) and that can be thought about in a different way, but there is absolutely no scope left for us to come there (opposition)," Fadnavis said. — ANI (@ANI) Fadnavis may have made a seemingly light-hearted remark, but its political undertone runs deep — especially at a time when Uddhav Thackeray has intensified his attacks on the BJP and the Shinde-led government over the three-language policy, and when speculation about a patch-up between the estranged Thackeray cousins is gaining traction. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a past ally of the BJP, has yet to clarify its electoral stance. Speculation has been mounting, especially after July 5, when Raj and Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage for the first time in two decades. The rare show of unity came during a joint celebration of the Maharashtra government's decision to reverse two controversial orders mandating Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Back in April, Raj Thackeray had already fuelled talk of a possible thaw, calling their past disagreements 'trivial' and stressing that uniting for the cause of the Marathi manoos shouldn't be difficult. Uddhav Thackeray echoed a similar tone shortly after, saying he was open to reconciliation—so long as it didn't include those acting against Maharashtra's interests.
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Ahead of BMC polls, Fadnavis doubles down on scandal-ridden Shinde Sena MLAs but stops short of action
'Prima facie, it looks like ruling BJP is trying to isolate the Shinde group, as they want to win the BMC polls on their own,' political analyst Prakash Akolkar told ThePrint. In doing so, the BJP is trying to stay ahead in the perception battle, not taking responsibility for the controversies stirred by its ally. The Mahayuti government comprises the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Pulling up the Shinde-led Shiv Sena also helps the BJP consolidate the Mahayuti's Hindutva votebank in its favour. Mumbai: Ahead of local body polls expected later this year or early next year, the BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seem to be doubling down on leaders of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena—like Sanjay Gaikwad and Sanjay Shirsat—who are seen to have embarrassed the Mahayuti government, but stopping short of taking any concrete action against them. Another political commentator, Abhay Deshpande, said Shinde's own party leaders are stirring trouble for the Deputy CM. 'I don't think it is a political conspiracy by the BJP, per se. These leaders are themselves landing in trouble. The BJP has not taken any direct action against these leaders,' Deshpande said. 'But yes, it is not a coincidence and it will reduce the bargaining power of Shinde in future,' he added. Meanwhile, the BJP is worried that the recent shenanigans by Shinde Sena leaders would hurt not just the Sena's image, but also the image of Mahayuti government. 'Such things should not have happened. We hope Shinde reins in these leaders. We cannot be seen in a bad light especially with local body polls just months away. All our achievements are undermined because of this. CM has been fair as a chief minister to order a probe if there is a doubt. He was just discharging his duties,' said a BJP leader who did not wish to be named. Eknath Shinde met party workers on Monday and gave a strict warning to his partymen regarding their embarrassing behaviour. 'In the past few days, certain incidents have taken place… People don't point fingers at you—they point at me for what you do. They ask me: 'What are your MLAs up to? You all are my people. We are one family. Your disrepute is my disrepute. Don't waste your energy on unnecessary matters. Speak less, work more,' he said. 'Some ministers had to step down due to a public backlash. I don't like to take action against members of my own family. But don't compel me to do it. I expect discipline and accountability from each of you. I don't behave like a boss. I don't get angry. I act like a karyakarta (party worker)—and you should too. Don't let your success go to your head. No matter how many positions you hold, always remember: You are first and foremost a worker,' he added. Last week, Eknath Shinde made an unscheduled visit to Delhi leading to speculations on whether there were efforts at damage control. However, minister and Shinde's colleague Uday Samant downplayed this visit, and suggested it was to discuss development work. But opposition leaders hint at internal sabotage. 'This could be an internal conspiracy. Why do Shinde's leaders receive I-T notices? Ajit Pawar's people don't receive such notices. That's worth analysing. It appears the BJP is trying to diminish Shinde's influence ahead of the Mumbai civic elections,' NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar told media outside the assembly. Also read: Solo or together? The big question for Maharashtra alliances this BMC poll season Shinde Sena controversies From the start of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature, MLAs and ministers from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have stayed in focus, sparking one controversy after another. The image of Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad in a vest and towel, forcing a canteen employee to sniff the alleged stale food and then hitting and punching him over and over till he falls down is hard to forget. And this wasn't the first time Gaikwad was in trouble. He had earlier announced a reward for anyone who would chop off Rahul Gandhi's tongue. Initially CM Fadnavis said there was no need to take action against him, but the police registered a non-cognisible complaint against him. Meanwhile, state Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, a close Shinde associate, is facing allegations of financial irregularities. First, his son's company was a bidder in the Hotel VITS auction, which was allegedly manipulated. The CM has initiated a probe into these allegations. Next, Shirsat received an Income Tax notice. And most recently, a video 'showing' him sitting next to a bag of cash in his bedroom went viral. Another minister Sanjay Rathod was questioned by BJP senior minister Sudhir Mungantiwar over widening of drains in his constituency. But his casual answer upset Mungantiwar, who said angrily on the floor of the house: 'When I spoke about drain widening, he just said that there was only a suggestion for action. This is not the kind of answer the minister should give.' Mungantiwar did not respond to ThePrint's calls and messages. Like Shirsat, another leader close to Shinde, Bharat Gogawale, was in the news for carrying out what looked like occult rituals during the assembly elections. 'All this will definitely hurt Shinde because if BJP decides to go with alliance partners at some places in the local body polls, they will not be in a good position,' said Deshpande. Akolkar says that he believes the BJP is trying to play it safe. 'On one side, it is defaming Shinde and his party while on the other side watching how the Raj and Uddhav Thackeray bonhomie plays out. BJP also wants to keep the Hindutva votes just to itself, while still not targeting Ajit Pawar, because he is expected to bring in the secular votes,' he said. 'Even during 2017, when Shiv Sena and BJP fought separately, Shiv Sena won 84 while BJP won 82, so they think they can win BMC on their own. Besides, they don't just want BMC, but also Thane and other municipal corporations. So this is definitely trying to cut down Shinde,' Akolkar said. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Fadnavis pulls up ally Shinde Sena's MLA for thrashing canteen worker after viral video
