Even as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his two deputies—Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar—addressed a media conference to present a report of their government's performance in the last two and half years, a new problem is staring in the face for the BJP in New Mumbai, where a section of the Shiv Sainiks is protesting against Ganesh Naik, the most powerful leader from Navi Mumbai and a BJP legislator.
Shiv Sena leader from Navi Mumbai Vijay Chougule has flagged BJP's plans to give tickets to its leaders in Belapur and Airoli constituencies in Navi Mumbai. He has demanded one of the two seats—Belapur or Airoli—be given to Shiv Sena.
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Chougule also demanded that the BJP should not give ticket to the kin of Naik. A former minister, Naik currently represents Airoli constituency. The other constituency, Belapur, is represented by BJP's Manda Mhatre, who, in recent times, has turned a baiter for Naik and his clan.
Chougule has warned that if both seats are given to the Naik family, Shiv Sena workers will not work for the saffron alliance and will field a rebel candidate. “We have passed a resolution yesterday that tickets should not be given to the Naik family and it has been given to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. How long should we continue to suffer domination by one family in politics,” Chougule told THE WEEK.
Shinde's Shiv Sena is allied with Ajit Pawar's NCP and the BJP in the Mahayuti alliance, while Congress is allied with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) under the Maha Vikas Aghadi banner.