Recent developments particularly in Ratnagiri where some prominent leaders including former MLA Rajan Salvi quit the Shiv Sena UBT, appear to have forced the Shiv Sena UBT a rethink. The party’s top brass had a meeting at Matoshree, the residence of the party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday that was attended by the party MP Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, ex-minister Subhash Desai, leader of opposition in the state council Ambadas Danve and others.
What comes as a shocker for the party is a statement by the party group leader in the state assembly Bhaskar Jadhav who lamented that he was not getting his dues despite experience.
“I would have proved my mettle had given an opportunity at the right time,” said Jadhav who was among the senior party leaders. What may come as a rude shock to the party is another statement when he said that the party labels those leaders as traitors who quit the organisation. But, those who create nuisance for party candidates during the polls should be called traitors.
Jadhav’s remarks come after Rajan Salvi joined the Shinde group on Thursday. “I haven’t got the dues yet and I feel sad about it. I am 68 and age is not on my side,” said Jadhav, who represents the Guhagar assembly seat from Ratnagiri, while speaking to media persons.
Chiding the Shiv Sena(UBT), Uday Samant, a leader of the Shinde group and Minister for Industries said they will welcome Jadhav and have guidance from such a senior leader. “People in Shiv Sena UBT may not have used Jadhav’s talent,” said Samant who represents Ratnagiri in the state assembly.
In his reaction, MP Sanjay Raut said, “The party leaders spoke with Jadhav on Friday and we are meeting him today. We will discuss whatever grievances he has.”
The statement by Jadhav coincided with a few prominent Shiv Sena leaders from Ratnagiri joining Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in a grand event addressed by the deputy CM and former minister Ramdas Kadam. Those who joined the Shinde group include Subhash Bane, Vilas Chalke, Rohan Bane, Sandeep Sawant, and others. Both Shinde and Kadam came down heavily on Uddhav Thackeray while Addressing a rally when these leaders joined the party
