Eknath Shinde: After the Maharashtra assembly elections, things do not seem to be going well for Eknath Shinde. First he lost the chief minister's post and then he did not get the ministry of his choice and now it is being said that the BJP wants to make the lotus bloom in his stronghold Thane as well. 

Maharashtra Politics: Eknath Shinde was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for about two and a half years and the BJP worked under his leadership. However, after the 2024 assembly elections, the equation has completely changed. BJP emerged as the largest party in the elections and after this Shinde was sidelined. Now BJP is in the driving seat and behind them is Eknath Shinde as Deputy Chief Minister. It is even being said that despite all the resentments, Eknath Shinde has not been able to get the ministry of his choice.

BJP has a crooked eye on Shinde's stronghold

However, the limit was crossed when BJP started making inroads into Eknath Shinde's stronghold 'Thane'. BJP wants the lotus to bloom in Eknath Shinde's stronghold. This claim has been made by a BJP minister himself. Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ganesh Naik has said that he wants the BJP to flourish in Thane, due to which speculations of a tussle between the two allies (BJP-Shiv Sena) are being made.

Only 'lotus' flourished in Thane

Naik, the guardian minister of neighbouring Palghar district, said at a programme on Tuesday that he would hold public grievance meetings in Thane as well, leading to speculation that the BJP was preparing to challenge Shinde's party's dominance in Thane. Naik said he would hold these meetings at the Gadkari Rangayatan auditorium because of his love for the people. "The BJP's focus is on the city. We want only the 'lotus' (BJP's election symbol) to flourish in Thane. The party has entrusted me with the responsibility of the city," he said. 

Started together with Shivsena

Both Naik and Shinde started their political careers with the Shiv Sena, but Naik later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was then led by Sharad Pawar. Shinde split the Shiv Sena in two by challenging Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in 2022. The Shinde-led party is already upset over the allocation of district guardian minister posts. Maharashtra BJP president and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday supported Naik. 

Thane will remain a stronghold of Shiv Sena

Reacting to the development, Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai said, "I have previously served as Thane's guardian minister and am aware of Shinde's network in the city and district. Thane will remain a Shiv Sena stronghold. BJP leaders have the right to expand their party, but one cannot ignore the fact that Shiv Sena has historically dominated the district."

being misinterpreted

Ruling out the possibility of a direct challenge from the BJP, he said, "Both Shinde and Naik are working to strengthen their parties while being part of the Mahayuti alliance. There is no need to misinterpret the situation."