Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, announced that he would not be welcoming back the MLAs and leaders who defected to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for their own gain. However, he stated that he would allow the return of officer-bearers and local leaders who were forced to join Shinde’s party.
This declaration was made as former Dombivli corporator Dipesh Mhatre, along with seven other former corporators, joined the Thackeray-led party on Sunday. Among those who joined was Mhatre’s elder brother Jayesh, who is also a former corporator. Mhatre had initially sided with Shinde when he split from the Shiv Sena in 2022 and was working as the state secretary of the Yuva Sena. Thackeray welcomed him back into the party at his residence, Matoshree, in Bandra East.
Mhatre is likely to be the Sena (UBT) candidate for the Dombivli assembly constituency, which is currently represented by BJP minister Ravindra Chavan. Thackeray made it clear that while he will allow the return of local leaders, office bearers, and party workers, the “traitors” who left for power and money will not be welcomed back.
Thackeray highlighted that many leaders like Mhatre had been misled by traitors who claimed that the Shiv Sena had deviated from the ideology of the party’s founder, Balasaheb Thackeray, and had compromised on Hindutva. He urged those who had left the party to return and help restore the Shiv Sena’s stronghold in regions like Kalyan-Dombivli.
In response to Thackeray’s statements, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde challenged him directly, questioning why he was targeting his son, MP Shrikant Shinde. Eknath Shinde defended his son’s performance as a member of parliament and emphasized that he had no fear in toppling the MVA government to benefit the people of Maharashtra. He also expressed confidence that the government’s schemes would be acknowledged by the people in the upcoming elections.
The exchange between Thackeray and Shinde reflects the ongoing political dynamics in Maharashtra, with both leaders asserting their positions and challenging each other’s actions and statements. The decision to not welcome back defected MLAs for power and money underscores Thackeray’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the party and upholding its principles. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the rivalry between different factions within the Shiv Sena will likely shape future developments in the state’s politics.
