THANE: The simmering unease between the local units of the Shiv Sena and BJP over the Thane Lok sabha seat came to the fore again when senior leaders from both the parties independently made a fresh claim to the seat this week.
It may be recalled the mahayuti candidate for the Thane seat has not yet been announced as senior alliance leaders are cautious in choosing the right person considering winning this constituency is no less than a prestige issue for them. While the seat is crucial for chief minister Eknath Shinde who has to prove his mettle in his dominion in the first major election after his rebellion, the constituency is equally important for the BJP whose leaders have done considerable ground work in this region previously before it was tactfully wriggled away by Shiv Sena’s late Anand Dighe.
Even though Shinde and deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis have been cautiously presenting a diplomatic stand asking their respective workers here to campaign keeping in mind the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the unease is palpable as grass root workers and local functionaries are trying their best to convince their bosses to wean away the seat.
The latest instance of this simmering unease was reflected during a local meet of Sena workers this week where senior leaders including MLA Pratap Sarnaik, MLC Ravindra Phatak were seen voicing the intent of the grass root workers saying that Thane belonged to the Sena and vice-versa.
"The polls are scheduled on may 20 but the candidate hasnt been declared yet. Shinde saheb who is our party chief is fighting for Thane seat. Thane belongs to Dighe and Shinde saheb and the Lok sabha seat should be contested on bow-arrow (symbol) only. We have to now show that it belongs to Shinde saheb. Nonetheless, when Shinde saheb announces the name, we will campaign for the candidate and ensure the margin is atleast by five lakhs this time," Sarnaik said while addressing the workers.
Spokesperson Naresh Mhaske who also attended the event also seconded the sentiment but later reminded the workers they may have to work for the candidate chosen by the alliance.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar who has actively started on public outreach events across Thane and suburbs since recent released a video statement, Friday, subtly announcing his intention to contest the Thane constituency. “The Thane constituency was the BJP’s stronghold before it was handed over to the Sena. We have adequate presence here as four of the six assembly seats in this constituency are with BJP logically making us the rightful claimant to the seat,” Kelkar told TOI earlier.