20 May,2024 05:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amol Kirtikar/ File Photo
Meghana Kirtikar, the wife of Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar, revealed on Monday that she disagreed with her husband's decision to support Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction and instead voted for their son, Amol, who is running in the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency for Shiv Sena (UBT).
Following the Shiv Sena's vertical split, Gajanan Kirtikar supported Shinde, while his son, Amol, stayed loyal to Uddhav Thackeray. Amol is up against Shiv Sena's Ravindra Waikar for the Mumbai North West seat, reported PTI.
According to the report, Meghana Kirtikar voted alongside her husband and daughter. She expressed her dissatisfaction of her husband's choice, questioning why he would side with someone younger than him, such as Shinde. Meghana expressed her support for her son and predicted his win by a large margin. Gajanan Kirtikar, as a parent, blessed Amol on his political path.
"I never supported my husband's decision to join the Shinde faction. I had asked him why he would salute Shinde, who is junior to him. I have voted for my son, and he will win with a huge margin. As a father, Gajanan Kirtikar has given his blessing to Amol," she said.
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In response to reporters' questioning, the MP admitted his family's objection to his decision to join the Shiv Sena group led by Shinde. He stressed that his motivations for joining were not driven by fear of legal repercussions or financial gain, but rather by other factors, the PTI report stated.
"Not only my wife, but my daughter was also against me joining the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. I did not join the party for fear of the Enforcement Directorate or for money. My reasons were different, and I had made it clear," said Gajanan Kirtikar.
Ironically, after Amol's Lok Sabha candidature was revealed, the Enforcement Directorate notified him of his suspected participation in the Khichdi scam.
Voting for the fifth phase of India general elections 2024 in Maharashtra began on Monday at 7 am for 13 Lok Sabha seats where poll officials reported an average voter turnout of 38.77 per cent till 3 pm.
Among the 13 constituencies, Bhiwandi recorded 37.06 per cent polling, Dhule 39.97 per cent, Dindori 45.95 per cent, Kalyan 32.43 per cent, Mumbai North 39.33 per cent, Mumbai North Central 37.66 per cent, Mumbai North East 39.15 per cent, Mumbai North West 39.91 per cent, Mumbai South 36.64 per cent, Mumbai South Central 38.77 per cent, Nashik 39.41 per cent, Palghar 42.48 per cent and Thane 36.07 per cent.
With PTI inputs
