Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde likely to assert himself, woo Uddhav’s cadre, corporators

MUMBAI: With Eknath Shinde set to continue as chief minister, Shiv Sena has got a second wind after the Election Commission’s recognition, and will now look to expand the party and win over the fence-sitters from Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena (UBT).
With a relatively smooth legal road ahead after the Supreme Court verdict, Shinde is expected to assert himself both politically and administratively. Several bureaucratic changes are expected in the government over the next few days, besides organisational changes in his party. He may also take a more aggressive stance against Uddhav and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
With the BMC elections likely in October, he might look to attract supporters by luring leaders with cabinet posts and opening up the state-run corporations to accommodate them. Viewing Shinde as seemingly entrenched in Varsha, the CM’s official residence, till the 2024 polls, many grassroots workers, apart from some MLAs and MPs who were waiting for the SC order, may jump ship. Shinde may go on an overdrive to especially woo former corporators and shakha-level party workers.
Last year, Rutuja Latke’s big win in the Andheri (East) bypoll, crossing the winning margin of her late husband Ramesh in 2019, came as a big boost to Uddhav’s Sena. Senior functionaries from the Uddhav faction said the result showed the all-important grassroots shakha network was by and large with the Thackerays. Political analysts believe after the SC verdict, the party cadre may rethink and look at opportunities.
Industry minister Uday Samant recently said many MLAs were in touch with Shinde’s Sena. “I’m saying this with a lot of responsibility. Many people will realise later that MLAs in the Sena (UBT), and some from NCP and Congress are in touch with CM Shinde and DCM Fadnavis,” said Samant.
While 40 MLAs joined hands with Shinde during his rebellion last July, only a handful of party corporators, like Sheetal Mhatre (Dahisar), Samadhan Sarvankar (Prabhadevi) and Yashwant Jadhav (Byculla), had switched over. Last month, former Sena (UBT) corporator Amey Ghole resigned as treasurer of Yuva Sena and joined the Shinde-led Sena. Amey was considered a close aide of Uddhav’s son Aaditya and was part of the Yuva Sena headed by Aaditya since its foundation over a decade ago.
BJP has 106 MLAs, but only nine ministers. None of the 10 independents and MLAs from smaller parties that backed CM Shinde were inducted in the cabinet in August.
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