A meeting between Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde causes political controversy

Many in the Thackeray camp were surprised by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Thursday visit to a veteran Shiv Sena MP named Gajanan Kirtikar, a close confidant of Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, to check on his health following surgery. However, the meeting led to rumours that Kirtikar might defect to the Shinde camp. Although Kirtikar has scoffed at media reports reiterating his faith and confidence in Uddhav Thackeray, he is still recovering from surgery. It's interesting to note that the

 

Thackeray camp has increased its surveillance of the party lawmakers and MPs who have remained loyal to it. The Chief Minister's Office did not mention Shinde's visit to Kirtikar's home in the official day schedule. But he decided to take a break from his hectic schedule to meet Kirtikar. This was done to reaffirm his claim that he is still a Shiv Sena member and that he respects the party's seniors and elders. Additionally, it was done to gain favour with the Thackeray camp.

 

Two days after 12 of the 19 Shiv Sena MPs sided with him instead of Thackeray, Shinde paid a visit. Rahul Shewale, a party member from south central Mumbai, has been appointed group leader in place of the outgoing Vinayak Raut, and Bhavana Gawali, a member from Yavatmal-Washim, has been appointed chief whip in place of Rajan Vichare, a member from Thane.

 

Before the Thackeray-led government fell, Kirtikar accused the NCP, a Shiv Sena ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, of trying to split up the party and of failing to give it its fair share of the District Development fund. Kirtikar had subsequently drawn Thackeray's attention to the situation and wished for NCP to adhere to the alliance dharma.

 

Senior Shiv Sena leader Kirtikar served in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2009 before being chosen twice to represent the country in the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019. He has been in charge of the Shiv Sena organisation Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti, which fights for the employment woes of the locals.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @mieknathshinde