Ahead of the crucial municipal elections in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is grappling with visible internal strife. The discord erupted after the party's decision to field former Congress mayor Abdul Rashid Khan, popularly known as Rashid Mamu, from the Garam Pani ward.
Senior Leader's Public Anger and Boycott Threat
The party's senior politician and former four-time Member of Parliament, Chandrakant Khaire, openly expressed his anguish over the ticket distribution on Wednesday. Khaire revealed that he learned about the candidature from the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' and was not consulted. He squarely blamed former leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Ambadas Danve, for taking the decision unilaterally.
"Nobody asked me. This is an insult to me. This was done deliberately by Ambadas Danve. I built the party here and spent my own money. I will not go for Mamu's campaigning," Khaire stated, reiterating his long-standing opposition to Rashid Mamu's candidature.
A History of Confrontation and Current Tensions
This episode is not an isolated incident but a revival of earlier tensions. Soon after Rashid Mamu joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) through Danve's efforts, a tense confrontation occurred at the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Khaire publicly warned Mamu at the building's entrance that he would oppose his candidature, a scene captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
Despite this clear opposition, Danve proceeded to secure the ticket for the new inductee. This move has sparked speculation about whether the infighting could damage the party's prospects in the upcoming municipal elections, where unity is paramount.
Compounding Troubles: Resentment Among Women Aspirants
Adding to the party's challenges, the ticket distribution process has also upset several women aspirants. Strong resentment was expressed by women functionaries who were denied tickets. Some were seen confronting Khaire, with a few breaking down in tears, alleging that deserving women candidates were being sidelined.
Khaire further escalated the accusations by claiming that Danve cut tickets for winnable women candidates, suggesting it was a move to make the electoral path easier for the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
When contacted for his response, the candidate at the centre of the storm, Abdul Rashid Khan (Rashid Mamu), adopted a conciliatory tone. "I respect Chandrakant Khaire. He is a senior leader of the party. Irrespective of what he says, I will continue to respect him. Currently, my focus is on contesting the elections and winning them," he said.
The open rebellion from a stalwart like Khaire and the discontent among women workers presents a significant management challenge for the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership as it campaigns for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar civic polls, testing the party's internal cohesion and strategic direction.
