Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Amid mounting speculation that Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Parbhani, Sanjay alias Bandu Jadhav, may switch over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, party chief Uddhav Thackeray has initiated organisational changes in the Parbhani district, removing Jadhav's close aide and confidant Gangaprasad Anerao from the post of Sena UBT's Parbhani district chief.
Vishnu Murkute has been appointed the new district chief and entrusted with the responsibility of Parbhani and Gangakhed assembly constituencies. The move is being seen as a pre-emptive step by the UBT leadership to limit potential damage to the party in case Jadhav defects.
Sources said senior leader Ambadas Danve recently toured all assembly segments in Parbhani district and subsequently briefed Thackeray about Jadhav's preparedness to cross over to the rival faction. Following this, key office-bearers and party workers from the district were summoned to Mumbai for discussions.
During the meetings, Thackeray is learnt to have assessed the possible impact of Jadhav's exit and the extent of support he could draw from the party's local unit. Notably, Jadhav and several of his loyalists and supporter office-bearers had skipped two organisational meetings called by Thackeray, further fuelling speculation about his intentions. On April 23, Danve conducted a detailed review in Parbhani to gauge which leaders and workers might follow Jadhav in the event of a defection. Based on this feedback, the party leadership appears to have decided on a more aggressive organisational strategy.
After interacting with local office bearers and workers, Thackeray opted for decisive action by replacing key office-bearers who had remained absent from the crucial meetings. The removal of Anerao, considered a staunch supporter of Jadhav, is being viewed as the first major step in this direction.
Just two days ago, Jadhav had publicly stated at an event that several party workers were keen to align with the ruling side. While maintaining that he was "currently" with the party, he added that "nothing can be said about the future," a remark widely interpreted as a signal of his likely exit.
Against this backdrop, Thackeray is said to have adopted a clear stance — not to stop those intending to leave, but to rebuild the organisation with loyalists. Party insiders said more changes in the district and adjoining regions are likely in the coming days as part of this restructuring exercise.
