Maharashtra Election: Uddhav Sena's Candidate List Filled With Large Number Of Turncoat Leaders

The Shiv Sena, founded by Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray, has grown on the foundations of Marathi identity and Hindutva. For Shiv Sainiks, Balasaheb is a revered figure.

Regardless of political affiliation, there is widespread respect for Balasaheb Thackeray across all parties. In Shiv Sena's nearly 58-year history, many individuals have shown their capabilities within the party, while others have left to join different parties.

Photo Credit: PTI

Shiv Sena is a party rooted in emotion, structured much like an army, and internal democracy is said to exist only on paper. The practice of labelling someone who leaves the party as a "traitor" began with Shiv Sena.

Now, even workers and leaders who leave Sharad Pawar's party are called traitors by his followers. However, the terms "traitor" and "treachery" are most commonly used for rebels within the Shiv Sena.

The Case of Chhagan Bhujbal and Shiv Sena's Wrath

In 1991, then-assertive Shiv Sena leader Chhagan Bhujbal left the party. At that time, Balasaheb Thackeray nicknamed him "Lakhoba Lokhande."

Such was the influence of Shiv Sainiks that Bhujbal could not freely move around Mumbai's Mazgaon area, and his residence was also attacked by Shiv Sainiks. Bhujbal remained almost in hiding for two months.

For many years, Shiv Sainiks referred to Bhujbal as a "traitor." About 12-13 years later, Narayan Rane left Shiv Sena, and he too was branded as a "traitor" by Shiv Sainiks, facing severe criticism in harsh terms. Rane, having spent years in Shiv Sena and absorbed its culture, responded in kind.

Rane, Raj Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde

After Narayan Rane's rebellion, Raj Thackeray left Shiv Sena. While Shiv Sainiks criticised Raj, the intensity was not as severe as that faced by Bhujbal and Rane. Under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, Shiv Sena faced a major setback when Eknath Shinde and his supporting 40 MLAs rebelled, marking the largest defection in Maharashtra's history.

Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut, among others, have referred to Eknath Shinde as a "traitor." Shinde and his loyal MLAs are often ridiculed in public meetings and assembly sessions. Recently, when a common worker mentioned this term while Shinde was passing by, Maharashtra witnessed Shinde stepping out of his vehicle.

Defectors and Loyalists from Other Parties

While it's true that Shiv Sena leaders refer to anyone leaving the party and challenging the leadership as "traitors," the party itself has many leaders who have defected from other parties and are now close to Uddhav Thackeray. A review of candidates given tickets in the upcoming assembly elections shows a long list of former members of other parties.

Mumbai, Konkan, and Shiv Sena have an emotional bond, with the region providing strong support to Shiv Sena. Noteworthy are the names of the candidates and leaders close to Uddhav Thackeray from this region.

Sushma Andhare, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Sachin Ahir

Aggressive female leader and spokesperson of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction, Sushma Andhare, joined the faction two years ago after stints in Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, known for her criticism of Eknath Shinde and his supporters, joined Uddhav's group from the Congress and became an MP within a day. Sachin Ahir, known for his closeness to Uddhav Thackeray, joined from the NCP after rebelling against Sharad Pawar.

Rajan Teli, Vaibhav Naik, and Sandesh Parker

In Konkan, the Uddhav Thackeray faction gave a ticket to Rajan Teli for the Sawantwadi constituency, the last constituency of Maharashtra. Teli's journey includes the Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP, and BJP. Vaibhav Naik, who received a ticket from the Kudav constituency, was originally a Congress worker. Sandesh Parker, who received a ticket from the Kankavli constituency, has a background with the Congress, NCP, BJP, and now Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction.

The Situation in Ratnagiri

Bal Mane, a former BJP MLA, received a ticket in the Ratnagiri constituency. Bhaskar Jadhav, who received a ticket from Guhagar, once rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray before joining the Shiv Sena in 2019. Sanjay Kadam from Dapoli and Snehal Jagtap from Mahad are also former members of the NCP.

The Same Scene in Mumbai

In Mumbai, Manoj Jamsutkar, a Congress defector, received a ticket from Byculla. Sanjay Bhalerao from Ghatkopar was also with another party, and Mahesh Sawant, who received a ticket from Shiv Sena's stronghold of Mahim, had previously rebelled against Shiv Sena.

Mumbai and Konkan, emotionally attached to Shiv Sena, are witnessing this situation, which is similar across Maharashtra. The BJP and supporters of Eknath Shinde have questioned how these candidates can be called loyalists while those who left Uddhav are labelled "traitors."