Lok Sabha elections 2024: To secure alliance dharma

Eknath Shinde

The BJP in Thane, its influential leaders in particular, continue to be restive in the wake of the party's decision to keep the constituency with Shinde Sena. The leaders and their supporters have distanced themselves from the campaign of Shiv Sena's Naresh Mhaske, CM Eknath Shinde's associate. Shinde has made the Thane seat, his home turf, a battle of personal prestige, and he is worried more about it than the neighbouring Kalyan where his son Dr Shrikant Shinde is in a comfortable position against the Sena (UBT). Thackeray Sena has fielded MP Rajan Vichare in Thane.

In Thane, however, Shinde is burdened with the might of "raging bulls" in the BJP. The Ganesh Naik group from Navi Mumbai was much eager to contest the election. Naik's ex-MP son Sanjeev was a favourite to run for it and began preparations, but had to wrap up the day seat-sharing was announced. Naik's supporters quit their positions in protest and refused to work for Shinde Sena. We're told that the anger persists in Navi Mumbai, and Naik's other areas of influence.

The CM's camp is willing to do as much in the wake of non-cooperation. For Shinde, losing his home seat would mean ignominy. For BJP, letting Thane slip from Shinde's hands would be inviting allegations of betraying the partner. Earlier, BJP's senior leaders had tried to quell the resentment, but that did not ensure the expected participation of BJP's rank and file. With only nine days to go for polling, the party has pressed two senior leaders, national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh and national general secretary Vinod Tawde into Thane's service. Santosh was in Thane on Saturday to pep up local leaders. Tawde will be there on May 15.

In fact, Santosh's tour was not just about Thane. The leader, who holds the second most important charge after the party's national president, was in Pune before travelling to Mumbai before the fourth phase polling on May 13 in the western, north and central parts of Maharashtra. Mumbai and Thane will vote in the last leg (country's 5th) on May 20.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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