Simmering discontent between old and new guard caused crisis?

MUMBAI: The growing influence of the Yuva Sena, led by environment minister Aaditya Thackeray, and the increasing efforts by this group to assert itself over the old guard in Shiv Sena are believed to be among factors that led cabinet minister Eknath Shinde to rebel and send the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government into an existential crisis.

Shinde was reportedly upset with a group of functionaries of Yuva Sena for allegedly trying to dominate over his turf, threatening his position as the effective number two in the party, according to Sena functionaries. The Yuva Sena is the youth wing of the party led by Aaditya.

A larger generational shift in the party, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s inaccessibility, and growing intractability of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the government, which came at a cost for Shiv Sena legislators, are also believed to be possible reasons behind the discontent, Sena functionaries said. “This (revolt) was not unexpected. It was just the way in which it was executed and the timing [that came as a surprise],” a Shinde loyalist said.

Shinde and several other MLAs left for Gujarat on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, hours after the MVA government suffered a setback in the legislative council elections.

Differences of opinion between Shinde and the Thackerays had been growing over the past few months, the Sena leader pointed out. Shinde was also reportedly irked over “interference” in his departments by the Sena’s first family and NCP ministers. Some functionaries of the Yuva Sena also took active interest in the portfolios held by Shinde, the leader said.

“However, there are many aspects to this episode,” the loyalist added, hinting at Shinde’s personal ambitions and that of his son and Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan, Dr Shrikant Shinde.

A second Sena leader too said Shinde resented the growing influence of some Yuva Sena leaders in the party and government. These functionaries are perceived as hailing from elite classes, unlike the ordinary blue-collar Shiv Sainiks, the leader said.

The old guard was also believed to be rankled at a decision to nominate NCP defector Sachin Ahir to the state legislative council instead of an old-timer or party loyalist.

Ahir joined the Shiv Sena in 2019, ensuring an easy victory for Aaditya from the Worli seat which Ahir has represented in the past.

Ahir replaced industries minister Subhash Desai in the upper house of the legislature. Party leaders said there was a high possibility that Aditya would have soon taken over Desai’s portfolio. “It is evident that Aaditya is the leader of the Sena after Uddhav and was being groomed for that role... It is evident that his rise rankled some in the old guard who may have felt uncomfortable reporting to him,” a third Sena leader said.