Uddhav Thackeray faces tough challenge in Balasaheb's bastion because of Eknath Shinde, BJP

Mumbai: Once known for its money-order economy, the South Konkan twin districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg and parts of the neighbouring Raigad district which was once cultivated by late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and a bastion of Shiv Sena  - is now a big challenge for his son Uddhav Thackeray, the now head of Shiv Sena (UBT). 

A large number of people from the South Konkan region work in the Mumbai metropolitan region  and are deeply inspired by Balasaheb's ideology. 

The development over the past two weeks which include former MLA Rajan Salvi joining Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and veteran leader and sitting MLA Bhaskar Jadhav being upset, has come as a jolt to the Thackeray family. 

The three districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Raigad (excluding Mumbai Metropolitan Region areas of Pen and Alibaug) combined have 10 Vidhan Sabha seats. 

While the Lok Sabha seat of Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg is represented by BJP’s Narayan Rane, a former Chief Minister and ex Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly while Raigad is represented by Sunil Tatkare, the state unit President of Ajit Pawar-led NCP. 

The eight  Vidhan Sabha segments Kankavli, Kudal and Sawantwadi (in Sindhudurg district) and are Chiplun, Ratnagiri and Rajapur (in Ratnagiri district) and Shrivardhan, Mahad, Dapoli and Guhagar (in Raigad district).

“The Shiv Sena (UBT) has just one seat now of the 10 seats, which is Guhagar represented by Bhaskar Jadhav on the other hand Shiv Sena has the lion’s share of six seats, NCP two and BJP one,” political observers said. “Traditionally the area has been a stronghold of the undivided Shiv Sena, however, the exit of Rane from the Shiv Sena and joining Congress in 2005 and subsequently the BJP has changed things in the region,” they said.

While Rane is an MP, his sons Nilesh is a Shiv Sena MLA from Kudal and Nitesh is a BJP MLA from Kankavli. Nilesh is the Fisheries and Ports Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led MahaYuti-NDA dispensation. 

The Sawantwadi seat is represented by Deepak Kesarkar, who had joined Shinde during the rebellion. 

Chiplun is represented by Shekhar Nikam of NCP. 

The Samant brothers of Shiv Sena - Uday and Kiran represent Ratnagiri and Rajapur respectively.

In the Vidhan Sabha polls, Kiran had defeated Rajan Salvi of Shiv Sena (UBT), who last week joined Shinde. 

When Salvi left Shiv Sena (UBT), he made the reasons known. “I was expecting a ministerial berth during the BJP-Shiv Sena government in 2014 and Bhai (Shinde) recommended my name. But Deepak Kesarkar was given a chance. In 2019, when Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power, I thought I would be accommodated but it was Uday Samant who got a chance. In the 2024 polls, I had to face defeat as party colleagues worked against me,” he said, hitting out at former MP Vinayak Raut. 

Bhaskar Jadhav, who represents Guhagar, is the only Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. 

"I, too, feel that I have the experience, an eye for detail and gift of the gab. But not everyone gets the opportunity. 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. 

In fact, Uddhav’s son Aaditya Thackeray was made the Shiv Sena (UBT) legislature party leader while Jadhav was made the Shiv Sena (UBT) group leader - despite the latter being one of the most experienced leaders and powerful orators.

However, later he said: “In my 43 years of political life, I have never resorted to theatrics or made a scene to get something. I’ve never played a drama or sat singing sorrowful songs. If something happens, it’s because of my destiny. If it doesn't, so be it. I have never done this to pressure my party or to create a situation to join another faction. I’ve never done such theatrics in my life.”