In a surprising turn of events, the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, finds itself embroiled in internal turmoil as two senior leaders, Gajanan Kirtikar and Ramdas Kadam, clash over the selection of the party's candidate for the Mumbai North West constituency. This dispute has the potential to disrupt the party's unity in the crucial run-up to the upcoming elections.
Leaders at Odds
Gajanan Kirtikar, the current Member of Parliament representing the Mumbai North West constituency, and Ramdas Kadam, a former minister within the party, have publicly sparred over the choice of candidate for this key electoral battleground. Kirtikar's long-standing presence in the constituency has sparked concerns within the party, with Kadam alleging that Kirtikar may be inclined to support his son, Amol, in securing a ticket from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction.
Amol's Allegiance
A report in the Hindustan Times mentioned that Amol Kirtikar's allegiance lies with the Thackeray faction within the Shiv Sena, and he has distanced himself from his father's political maneuvers. In a recent party meeting, Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, signaled his intention to field Amol as the party's candidate for the Mumbai North West constituency. This decision has added complexity to the intra-party strife.
Suspicion of a Hidden Agenda
Ramdas Kadam's suspicions are centered around the belief that Gajanan Kirtikar intends to simultaneously contest from the Shiv Sena while promoting his son, Amol, under the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner. The ultimate goal, according to Kadam, is to secure Amol's election. In response, Kadam has stressed the importance of preventing any deception within the party, emphasizing, "Kirtikar senior may file his nomination and would sit at home. It has to be ensured that the party is not cheated."
Sources within Shiv Sena have also hinted at a desire by Ramdas Kadam for his own son, Siddhesh, to contest the Mumbai North West constituency. Kadam, however, has vehemently denied these allegations, further muddying the waters of the ongoing dispute.
Kirtikar's Response
Gajanan Kirtikar, who previously contested the Mumbai North West constituency in 2009 but was defeated by Gurudas Kamat of the Congress, successfully secured the seat in both 2014 and 2019. However, this current internal strife presents a new challenge to his political career. Addressing the controversy, Gajanan Kirtikar stated, "A response was provided to Kadam through a statement. Controversies are not initiated by me. My son is interested in a parliamentary poll ticket, and I am contesting the polls. If my son wishes to contest from elsewhere, he is free to do so. He will not run against me, and I have asked him not to campaign against me."
Allegations and Accusations
In addition to the candidacy battle, Kirtikar has publicly aired allegations against Ramdas Kadam, accusing him of consistent betrayal of the party during their tenure in the undivided Shiv Sena. Furthermore, Kirtikar revealed that Kadam had traveled in the car of NCP chief Sharad Pawar from Khed (Ratnagiri) to Bhor (Pune) during his tenure in the Shiv Sena, hinting at suspicions that Kadam may have considered joining the NCP at that time.
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