Uddhav Thackeray said Sena has been defamed due to the "betrayal". (FILE)Thane: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday inaugurated a medical camp in Maharashtra's Thane city on the eve of the birth anniversary of late Anand Dighe, a hugely popular politician considered the mentor of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.Anand Dighe's massive popularity made Thane one of the safest seats of the undivided Sena but Shinde's rebellion last June led to a vast majority of the rank and file in the region moving to the latter's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.Mr Thackeray's visit as well as the mega medical camp organised to commemorate Dighe's anniversary, which falls of Friday, are being seen as an attempt to rebuild the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Thane.He also paid floral tribute to Dighe at Anand Math, the de facto centre of the Sena movement in Thane for decades now.Speaking on the occasion, Mr Thackeray said Shiv Sena and Maharashtra have been defamed due to the "betrayal and defections" that took place, a reference to MR Shinde and 39 MLAs bringing down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.Mr Thackeray said Thursday's visit was a brief one to take care of the "health of citizens here" but promised he would return to address a mass gathering to take care of the "political health of Thanekars"."I am satisfied that despite the present foul situation, the Shiv Sena has not moved away from its goal. I am proud of it. The Shiv Sena supremo (Bal Thackeray) has taught us that 80 per cent is social work and only 20 per cent political work. The real Sainiks are with us," he said.Those who left preferred to sell themselves, MR Thackeray said, with the crowd shouting "Rs 50 crore" when he asked them if they knew what was the sale price.Mr Thackeray said slogans centred around Rs 50 crore (taunting the BSS leaders) were being heard even in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, he claimed, adding a video of this was shown to him by party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut."These slogans have travelled across the country. But in the process, Maharashtra has been defamed as well as the Shiv Sena. There is no need to mourn for those who have left because the real Sainiks will light the 'mashaal' (party symbol of Thackeray's faction)," he asserted.Thane Lok Sabha MP Rajan Vichare and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Jitendra Awhad accompanied Thackeray.Later, addressing a function at a Jain Temple, he said he had been introduced by one of the earlier speakers as an a "athithi" (guest) but he wanted to reiterate he was one of them.He added that his father had also visited this temple to seek blessings.Mr Thackeray said he had visited the renowned 'Shreenathji' (in Nathdwara in Rajasthan) eight days ago and now he was here to get blessings again.On one of the speakers at the function saying those assembled were willing to give their blood for him, Mr Thackeray said he just wanted their votes.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe relationship between the Jain community and his father will be made stronger, for which he had come here to get the blessings of 'acharyas', the former chief minister said.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayMalaika Arora And Arbaaz Khan Share A Hug After Seeing Off Son Arhaan At Airport
THANE: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday inaugurated a medical camp in Maharashtra's Thane city on the eve of the birth anniversary of late Anand Dighe, a hugely popular politician considered the mentor of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.Dighe's massive popularity made Thane one of the safest seats of the undivided Sena but Shinde's rebellion last June led to a vast majority of the rank and file in the region moving to the latter's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.Thackeray's visit as well as the mega medical camp organised to commemorate Dighe's anniversary, which falls of Friday, are being seen as an attempt to rebuild the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Thane.Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said Shiv Sena and Maharashtra have been defamed due to the "betrayal and defections" that took place, a reference to Shinde and 39 MLAs bringing down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.Thackeray said Thursday's visit was a brief one to take care of the "health of citizens here" but promised he would return to address a mass gathering to take care of the "political health of Thanekars". "I am satisfied that despite the present foul situation, the Shiv Sena has not moved away from its goal. I am proud of it. The Shiv Sena supremo (Bal Thackeray) has taught us that 80 per cent is social work and only 20 per cent political work. The real Sainiks are with us," he said. PTI
KALYAN: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has opposed the Dombivli-Kalyan bandh called by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena against Uddhav Thackeray faction's deputy leader Sushma Andhare's statement about Warkaris. MNS MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil issued a statement in which he opposed the bandh. "People should exercise restrain while talking about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and saints of Maharashtra, one should think before saying anything," Patil said. "But if someone says something, why should the general public be troubled about it? Take direct action against those who make such statements. Those who make such statements should be restrained. But common people should not be troubled by calling bandhs," he said. Today, in many areas, especially near Dombivli railway station, shops remained closed while in some other places shops were opened. Since many auto rickshaw unions participated in the bandh in the morning many office goers had to face problem. During the bandh, some violent incidents were also reported. The Dombivli is considered as the stronghold of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena from where Shinde's son Dr Shrikant Shinde is Lok Sabha MP.
KALYAN: Shiv Sena's Shinde faction has called for a bandh in Dombivli and Kalyan Rural on Saturday against Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare over his alleged remarks on Warkaris (devotees of Lord Vishnu). Rajesh More, city president of the faction, announced Dombivali bandh in a joint press conference along with the traders association, saints associated with Warkari, rickshaw unions, and some other organizations. More said, “Maharashtra is the land of saints and Uddhav Balasaheb Shiv Sena’s spokesperson Sushma Andhare is seen making controversial statements on our saints. To protest against Andhare, we have announced a bandh tomorrow (Saturday)”. More further said, “Until Andhare apologises for her statements, we will not allow her to enter into Dombivli city.” Another Sena leader Dipesh Mahatre said, “We have got the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, several traders associations, jewelers association, rickshaw union and Warkari community for this bandh”. However, a rickshaw union termed the bandh politically motivated. Balu Komaskar, president of Lal Bavta rickshaw union said, “Tomorrow’s bandh called is politically motivated and tomorrow they may pressure to call bandh rickshaw but our union has decided to not participate in bandh
THANE: The tension between the two factions of the Shiv Sena in Thane is unlikely to settle down soon with the Uddhav Thackeray faction now alleging Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp to have triggered last week’s violence outside Shrinagar police station. The Shinde camp has refuted the allegations. It may be recalled that members of the two factions clashed late on Monday in the Bhatwadi area of Kisan Nagar following which the police intervened and further tension settled. A mob, apparently Shinde supporters, later gathered outside the Shrinagar police station in the wee hours of Tuesday where the Thackeray camp leaders and their activists were waiting. The faction clashed again following which the police had to resort to lathi charge. MP Rajan Vichare of Shiv Sena Thackeray faction told the media late Friday, “I suspect the CM and his team had planned the attacks. A mob that was over 1,000 surrounded us and threatened us while we were inside the police station. This cannot be done without the support of senior leaders. It seems the move to reduce my security cover recently was deliberate,” accused Vichare while talking to the media. The Shiv Sena, Shinde faction, rubbished the allegations. “It is evident that the Thackeray faction is scared of Shinde sahib and has lost their peace which is why they are making such baseless allegations. It was their workers who abused our party colleague first. We learnt from locals that the senior leaders from the Thackeray camp escaped from the scene leaving their activists behind,” said Naresh Mhaske, spokesperson of the Shinde faction.
THANE: Tension prevailed in Kisan Nagar area of Thane in the wee hours of Tuesday after hundreds of activists from the two Shiv Sena factions clashed outside the Shrinagar police station forcing the police to lathi charge the mob. The incident occurred in the Bhatwadi area that is part of chief minister Eknath Shinde's assembly constituency. Leaders from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena alleged their activists suffered injuries and blamed the other group for triggering the violence.
Videos of the clash were widely circulated on social media.Thane: A clash broke out between two Shiv Sena factions in Maharashtra's Thane late on Monday night.The incident took place in Kisan Nagar where newly-appointed office bearers from Uddhav Thackeray's Sena faction were being felicitated. MP Rajan Vichare was also present at the gathering to congratulate the new office bearers.During the event, some Sena workers from chief minister Eknath Shinde's faction heckled Team Thackeray members. The sloganeering from both sides snowballed into a full-blown fight. PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comVideos of the clash were widely circulated on social media. Supporters of both factions descended upon Thane's Shrinagar police station to file cases against each other. The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
THANE: Tension prevailed in the Kisan Nagar area of Thane after clash between members of the two Shiv Sena factions leading the local police to lathicharge the mob on Tuesday. The incident occured in Bhatwadi area of Kisan Nagar that is part of chief minister Eknath Shinde's constituency. #Maharashtra: Lathicharge by police at Shreenagar police station after fight between Shiv Sena Shinde faction and S… https://t.co/iSkvw9sdwJ— TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) 1668482093000The tension sparked off in the area after members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) led by a senior leader clashed with activists of a local former corporator from the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena. The arguments soon escalated into violence after which the police intervened. However, the activists started clashing outside the police station forcing the cops to lathicharge the crowd that was going uncontrollable. Leaders from both the parties accused each other for instigating the violence. Senior inspector Sunil Shinde at the Shrinagar police station said they have registered complaints against both the factions. "No arrests have been made so far," he said.
THANE: BJP may contest the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra independently following recommendations to the effect from its local units, said state party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday. Bawankule was interacting with the media at the first BJP show of strength in Thane. “We’ll definitely fight all state and LS polls with our alliance partner,” he said. “But we’ve left the decision to forge an alliance or not with them at the local level to our BJP core committees working in the regions. We may have a friendly fight with the Shinde faction in those areas.” He hinted at BJP wanting to show its prowess, including in Thane, a stronghold of Shinde as well as Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena. The city, Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai and other municipal jurisdictions are headed for local body polls. To media questions on possible tensions with the Shinde faction, Bawankule said the party was with the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Shinde and would put all its might behind it. He also lauded Shinde and praised his rebellion.
Thane: The BJP may contest the upcoming municipal elections in the state independently following recommendations to the effect from its local units, said state party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday, reports Manoj Bagderi.Bawankule was interacting with the media at the first BJP show of strength in CM Eknath Shinde’s city. “We will definitely fight all state and Lok Sabha polls with our alliance partner,” Bawankule said. “But we have left the decision to forge an alliance or not with them at the local level to our BJP core committees working in the regions. We may have a friendly fight with the Shinde faction in those areas.” He hinted at the party wanting to show its prowess, including in the lake city, a stronghold of Shinde as well as Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena.
THANE: Ahead of the Andheri assembly seat by-polls, the Eknath Shinde faction has accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led group of relying on legacy and sympathy votes instead of talking about developmental works. A day after the Thackeray-led group submitted a letter to the Election Commission alleging bias, Naresh Mhaske, former Thane mayor and spokesperson for the Shinde group, released a digital statement dismissing the same and claiming they (Thackeray) had no other topics to fight elections and are therefore banking only on blame games and seeking sympathy. “They (Thackeray) had sought the torch symbol and temporary name for their party from the EC, and had announced the same on social media also and started celebrations. Surprisingly, after three days, they are now alleging foul play which reflects that they have nothing else to fight on except playing the sympathy card and banking on their legacy. The kind of work you do is more important when fighting such polls,” said Mhaske. Chiding the complaints made by the Thackeray group, Mhaske repeated Shinde’s stance that injustice was done on their group. “We are the real claimants for the party symbol and name, and have over 80% support of leaders and workers. On the other hand, they are resorting to forging support which was recently seen in Mumbai. We appeal to them to fight out a fair war based on works done. These crocodile tears won’t help,” said Mhaske. When contacted, Kedar Dighe, district president at Thane Shiv Sena, defended the Thackeray group. “If it was only sympathy then it would not have lasted long, but those making allegations must also remember dedication and loyalty is what binds a party and its people together. It seems it has become a norm for them (Shinde faction) to comment and criticise everything. But they must realise that the common man is watching everything,” he said.
THANE: Ahead of the Andheri assembly seat bypolls, the Eknath Shinde faction — of the Shiv Sena — has accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led group of relying on legacy and sympathy votes instead of talking about developmental works. Read AlsoSena vs Sena: Uddhav camp gets 'mashaal' as poll symbol, Shinde faction told to give new list of symbolsThe Election Commission on Monday allotted 'flaming torch' (mashaal) election symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena and gave it the name: 'Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray'. 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' (Balasaheb's Shiv Sena) is the new name for the Eknath Shinde group of theA day after the Thackeray-led group submitted a letter to the Election Commission alleging bias towards the Shinde faction, Naresh Mhaske — former Thane mayor and spokesperson for the Shinde group — released a digital statement wherein he dismissed the same and claimed they (Thackeray) had no other topics to fight elections and are so banking only on blame games and seeking sympathy. Read AlsoSena vs Sena: Eknath Shinde camp gets 'two swords and shield' as poll symbolThe Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday allotted ‘Two Swords and Shield’ as a poll symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena. The development comes a day after the poll panel gave the faction its new name: Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.“They (Thackeray) had sought the torch symbol and temporary name for their party from the EC and had announced the same on social media also and started celebrations. Surprisingly, after three days, they are now alleging foul play which reflects that they have nothing else to fight on except playing the sympathy card and banking on their legacy. The kind of work you do is more important when fighting such polls,” said Mhaske. Sena vs Sena: Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde groups fight over venue of Dasara rallyChiding the complaints made by the Thackeray group, Mhaske repeated Shinde’s stance that injustice was done on their group. “We are the real claimants for the party symbol and name and have over 80% support of leaders and workers. On the other hand they are resorting to forging support which was recently seen in Mumbai. We appeal to them to fight out a fair war based on works done. These crocodile tears won’t help,” said Mhaske. When contacted, Kedar Dighe, district president at Thane Shiv Sena, defended the Thackeray group. “If it was only sympathy then it would not have lasted long but those making allegations must also remember dedication and loyalty is what binds a party and its people together. It seems it has become a norm for them (Shinde faction) to comment and criticize everything. But they must realise that the common man is watching everything,” he said.
