NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Forest Minister and BJP leader Ganesh Naik will hold a ‘janata darbar‘ in Thane on Monday, a move that has stirred political speculation given Thane’s status as deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde‘s stronghold. The event comes amid ongoing murmurs of unease within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
Large hoardings have been put up near the collector’s office in Thane city, announcing Naik’s event, a move seen in political circles as a direct assertion of BJP’s presence in the region.The timing is particularly notable as tensions between the BJP and Shiv Sena have been simmering, highlighted by Shinde’s recent cryptic warning: “Do not take me lightly. Those who took me lightly were toppled.”
Old rivalry resurfaces
Naik and Shinde have had a long-standing rivalry. When Shinde was the chief of the undivided Shiv Sena’s Thane district unit, Naik was a powerful leader in the undivided NCP, controlling Navi Mumbai’s political landscape. Both leaders vied for dominance in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which boasts one of the highest urban concentrations in India.
Naik, now the guardian minister of Palghar district, pioneered the ‘janata darbar’ concept in Maharashtra in the 1990s to connect citizens with the administration. He recently held similar events in Vashi on February 3 and in Palghar on February 21, reinforcing his political outreach.
Shiv Sena downplays event
Shiv Sena’s Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, a close aide of Shinde, dismissed concerns about BJP encroaching on the party’s turf. “When Eknath Shinde comes to Thane, thousands gather to get their work done. Even an MP like me sits in Anandmath (office of Shinde’s mentor Anand Dighe), and 400-500 people visit daily. Even that is a durbar. You don’t need to build a palace for it,” he remarked.
Ganesh Naik’s son, former MP Sanjeev Naik, has been actively involved in preparations, holding multiple meetings with BJP leaders in Thane. Visiting the venue on Saturday, he rubbished speculation that the event was a power play against the Shiv Sena. “These are baseless rumours spread by opponents. The Mahayuti alliance remains strong and united,” he said.
Sanjeev Naik clarified that the event is being held as per Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ directive for ministers to conduct ‘janata darbars’ across the state. “The goal is to bring governance closer to the people. Instead of thousands traveling to Mantralaya, the minister will address their grievances locally,” he explained.