In a significant political development in Maharashtra, former Navi Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief and two-time Airoli MLA Sandeep Naik has officially returned to the BJP. This move comes after he spent more than a year with the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction).
A Year in Political Wilderness
Naik's political journey took a turn in October last year when he left the BJP. His departure was triggered by the party's decision to deny him a ticket to contest the state assembly election from the Belapur constituency. Following his exit, he aligned himself with the NCP-SP and entered the electoral fray from Belapur as their candidate.
The contest proved to be intensely close. Naik faced a narrow defeat, losing to BJP's sitting MLA Manda Mhatre by a mere 377 votes. After this loss, the former minister maintained a relatively low public profile while reportedly weighing his future political options.
Declining a Major Role to Return Home
Despite being in the NCP-SP camp, Sandeep Naik's return to his old party had been the subject of political speculation for some time. Reports indicate that he was offered a significant role by NCP-SP state president Shashikant Shinde. The offer involved leading the party's charge in the crucial upcoming Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
However, Naik chose to decline this prominent position. Instead, he opted for a homecoming, deciding to re-enter the BJP fold. His return was formally sealed in Mumbai following a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The official ceremony took place in the presence of state BJP president Ravindra Chavan.
Strengthening BJP's Navi Mumbai Fortress
Political analysts view Naik's re-entry as a major boost for the BJP's prospects in the Navi Mumbai region, especially with the civic elections on the horizon. The party is already preparing for the polls under the guidance of cabinet minister and local strongman Ganesh Naik.
Sandeep Naik brings with him considerable grassroots influence, particularly in the Belapur constituency. His support base is robust, with over 30 former corporators reportedly backing him. This clout is expected to significantly alter the local political calculus.
His return is likely to consolidate the BJP's position further and could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the municipal elections. The move underscores the ongoing political realignments in Maharashtra as parties gear up for key electoral battles.
