BJP is treading cautiously as Shinde and Thackeray struggle over Thane district

Political tension emerged in the state after the branch office of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction was demolished in the Muslim-dominated Mumbra region of Thane district.

Naresh Mhaske of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Saturday said his party will take over all those ‘shakhas’ from the undivided party that were used for improper activities.

The Sena had recently taken over a shakha in Mumbra in this manner and had gone ahead with its demolition to rebuild it, causing tension with officials of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

Attacking the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for “bulldozing” a ‘shakha’ (local level office) controlled by the Shiv Sena (UBT), chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said those in high power will be taught a lesson to learn.

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Thackeray along with top leaders of the Sena (UBT) went to Mumbra here to visit the devastated Shakha but faced resistance from workers of the CM’s Shiv Sena, who also displayed black flags.

As the situation became tense, Thackeray and his party colleagues left the site, just meters away from the razed Shakha.

Mumbra is the stronghold of CM Eknath Shinde.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde on Sunday dismissed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s outburst over the demolition of his party’s ‘shakha’ in Thane district, calling it an empty threat.

However, the BJP may not see it as an ’empty threat’. CM Shinde’s declining approval rating in the state has worried the BJP. Though she has now received the support of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), she feels that the victim card used by Uddhav Thackeray could change the political mood in his party. favor in Thane.

Notably, Thane was the bastion of an undivided Shiv Sena. In the factional battle, the BJP has grown in gaining a hold on Maharashtra’s industrial district. Any ill-considered move could hinder their newfound victory.

A BJP MLA from Thane said that while the Shinde Sena’s argument about misuse of the shakha by its rivals may be true, “the timing was not right”, reports Indian Express.

The report also adds that a senior party functionary said: “The high-handedness of the Shinde faction could be damaging. Especially at a time when people are rejoicing for Diwali celebrations”.

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Updated: Nov 12, 2023 4:57 PM IST