Political Feud in Maharashtra's Thane District Escalates Dramatically
The ongoing war of words in Thane district between senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and minister Ganesh Naik and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has intensified significantly, showing no signs of subsiding. The dispute took a fresh and aggressive turn after Naik's latest inflammatory remarks prompted a sharp and personal rebuttal from Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, who openly challenged him to an electoral contest.
Naik's Direct Attack on Shinde Leadership
Speaking at a public event on Saturday, Ganesh Naik launched a comprehensive and strong attack on both Eknath Shinde and his son, Dr. Shrikant Shinde. In a particularly pointed jibe that has reverberated through political circles, Naik declared that "if you get entangled with me, I will make you a former MP for life." He further leveled serious allegations that Shinde's leadership had effectively pushed Maharashtra "ten years backward" in terms of development and progress.
Naik also issued stern warnings that he would not tolerate what he described as the alleged misuse of government machinery or instances of land grabbing under the current administration. Additionally, he made assertive comments questioning the political presence and influence of the Shinde faction within Thane district. His statements have been widely interpreted by political observers as exposing deep internal tensions and power struggles within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Shrikant Shinde's Strong Counterattack
A day after these provocative remarks, on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, Dr. Shrikant Shinde visited the historic Ambarnath Shiv Temple and Dombivli's Pimplehwar Shiv temple, where he offered prayers and performed traditional rituals. Following his religious visit, Shinde spoke about the ongoing development of the temple corridor at Ambernath Shiv temple and expressed confidence that devotees from across the country would be drawn to this significant spiritual site.
However, the MP quickly turned his attention to Naik's comments, delivering a strong and medically-tinged response. Reacting to the criticism, Dr. Shinde told gathered reporters that with advancing age, certain common issues such as forgetfulness, irritability, and disorientation are often observed—a statement he emphasized he could make authoritatively "as a doctor." He added pointedly that Naik should refrain from making statements about "turning someone into a former MP."
Direct Electoral Challenge Issued
Escalating his response further, Shinde directly challenged Ganesh Naik or his son to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from either Kalyan or Thane constituencies if they were "so enthusiastic" about political confrontation. He reiterated with confidence that voters had elected him to Parliament three consecutive times, calling this a clear reflection of public trust in his work and representation.
In a powerful counterattack, Shinde remarked that "those who have repeatedly become former representatives should avoid threatening to make others former." Referring to past political battles, he recalled historical context where Shiv Sena workers, under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, had once helped a political newcomer like Anand Paranjpe win elections twice despite not holding any ministerial position, ultimately defeating Naik's family in the process.
Historical Defeats and Current Political Reality
Shinde also noted that Naik himself had faced significant electoral defeats in the past, including a notable loss to Manda Mhatre from within his own political fold. Citing more recent political developments, Shinde claimed that Shiv Sena had successfully secured mayoral positions in KDMC, Ulhasnagar, and Thane municipal corporations, which he described as concrete evidence of the party's organisational strength and sustained public support.
While acknowledging that there had been some shortcomings in Navi Mumbai's political outcomes, Shinde assured that corrective measures would be implemented systematically. The MP also took a personal swipe at Naik, suggesting that Naik's real issue with Eknath Shinde stems from what he perceives as a reversal of political fortunes—when Naik was already an established minister, Eknath Shinde was merely a branch chief, but later Shinde rose dramatically to become Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister while Naik remained at the ministerial level.
Final Warning and Political Implications
Concluding with a strong and unambiguous message, Dr. Shrikant Shinde stated firmly, "You (Naik) repeatedly take jibes at Shinde Saheb. He is straightforward and responds through his work, not words. But it would be better if you do not get entangled with me."
The latest heated exchange has significantly fueled political debate across Maharashtra, underlining visible and growing strains within the state's ruling alliance. Political analysts suggest this public confrontation reveals deeper factional conflicts that could impact both local governance in Thane district and broader coalition dynamics in Maharashtra's complex political landscape.
