Did the Shiv Sena City Chief Grasp the Party’s Dynamics?      

Shiv Sainiks in Pimpri-Chinchwad city have taken a stance that they will not support "imported" candidates. Yesterday, former corporator Moreswar Bhondve, a staunch supporter of Ajit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), joined Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut themselves welcomed Bhondve into the party by tying the traditional ‘Shiv Bandhan.’  

In such a scenario, the statements made by the city chief Sachin Bhosale raise the question of whether he has truly understood what Shiv Sena stands for. Balasaheb Thackeray's original Shiv Sena is long gone. Some still remember the hardcore Shiv Sainiks who, in the past, fought on various issues, stood firm with their demands, and even faced police action. Only a handful of such genuine Shiv Sainiks, who were ready to go to court and face cases, remain today.  

Over the past 10-15 years, Shiv Sena has evolved with time. "Imported" leaders have taken control of the organization, and the original Shiv Sainiks have been pushed aside. The real question now is: who is original, and who is "imported"?  

In reality, Sachin Bhosale himself entered Shiv Sena in 2017, right before the municipal elections, secured a ticket, and became a corporator. Similarly, two days before, former Congress corporator Gautam Chabukswar joined the party and soon became an MLA. Sanjog Waghere, another former NCP corporator, joined Shiv Sena just ten days before the announcement of the Maval constituency candidature, and Uddhav Thackeray himself declared his nomination. In Bhosari, former BJP corporator Ravi Landge joined Shiv Sena with much fanfare, seeking an assembly ticket. However, that seat was later given to Sharad Pawar's NCP faction.  

Going further back, even names like Shrirang Barne and Rahul Kalate feature on the list of such "imported" leaders. Hence, it appears that the city chief Sachin Bhosale himself doesn’t seem to understand how the party operates.  

Bhosale’s expectation that the party should have consulted him before inducting Moreswar Bhondve is rather ironic. Passing a resolution that they won’t support the new candidate is akin to openly challenging Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut. Shiv Sena doesn’t function this way. Orders are given from the top, and members are expected to follow them. If someone wants to voice their opinion, they are supposed to speak privately with the leaders. Any talk of rebellion is met with expulsion from the party.  

The real issue with Sachin Bhosale lies elsewhere. He wanted a ticket from the reserved Pimpri constituency during the seat-sharing arrangement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Since Shiv Sena had contested this seat three times in the past, Bhosale believed it would be given to them again. However, Sharad Pawar's NCP took the seat, and the Chinchwad assembly constituency was assigned to Shiv Sena instead.  

In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Mahayuti’s candidate Shrirang Barne led with a margin of 75,000 votes in this area. Given such conditions, winning the seat back for MVA in the assembly elections seems unlikely. This setback in the seat-sharing agreement has left Bhosale disappointed, which seems to be the reason behind his opposition to Bhondve’s entry into the party. However, he doesn’t have the moral authority to oppose it.  

To expand the party, Uddhav Thackeray has always prioritized inclusive politics. Bhondve’s induction is not a major calamity, and it’s still uncertain whether he will even get the Chinchwad candidature. Rahul Kalate has already camped at Matoshree, seeking a chance for himself. However, Thackeray is upset with Kalate due to his alliance with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. If the party leaders wish, Kalate might even replace Bhondve as the candidate.  

Politics is unpredictable. For example, Ravi Landge was brought into the party with the promise of a Bhosari ticket, but ultimately, Ajit Gawhane from the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP was nominated from there. Similarly, if political calculations don’t work out, Kalate might replace Bhondve as the candidate. Bhondve has likely not been inducted merely to be a scapegoat.