Dissenting Shiv Sena cadre taunt party leadership, ask it to bring back MNS chief
The appointments of former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and former supporters of Sena’s arch rival Narayan Rane in the party’s North-East Vibhag has angered local loyal Shivsainiks. Last weekend, two groups of local Shiv Sainiks clashed with each other outside Shiv Sena Shakha 129 in Ghatkopar West over the new appointments.
After Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray recently announced Sena will henceforth contest all future elections on its own, his loyal Shiv Sainiks, especially from North-Eastern suburb of Ghatkopar, have raised banners of dissent over appointments of former MNS cadre in key party posts.
An anonymous Shiv Sainik has put up sarcastic posters in Ghatkopar West titled ‘Navnirman Shiv Sena’. In a sarcastic footnote, the Shiv Sainik has quipped “instead why not welcome honourable Raj Thackeray in the party?”
Shiv Sainiks are particularly peeved over the appointment of 65-year-old Shivaji Kadam as Shakha Pramukh. Kadam, a former MNS cadre, joined Sena barely a year ago.
Loyalist argue that Pradeep Mandavkar has been local Shakha Pramukh for the last six years, but has suddenly been removed from his post.
The loyalist camp is agitated over appointments to various posts by North-East Vibhag Pramukh Rajendra Raut.
The anonymous Shiv Sainik stated that after careful study of their past political careers, many of them were in different political parties opposed to the Sena, contested against the Sena in past elections and have worked against the Sena.
“This means there are no dedicated cadre within the party worthy of the posts. Hence, those who backstabbed honourable Raj Thackeray and have come to Sena have been given key party posts. Instead of that, why not welcome Raj Thackeray into the party?” remarked the loyalist in the poster.
He added, “Going through the list of new appointees, loyal Shiv Sainiks like him have realised that the party does not need dedicated party workers like him, but those who have roamed three-four parties. Then let us also visit four homes and come back. Yours truly, a loyal Shiv Sainik of honourable Balasaheb.”