BJP Minister Ganesh Naik to Hold Janata Darbar in Thane, Challenging Eknath Shinde’s Authority

Thane, 30th January 2025: The BJP, bolstered by its resounding victory in the recent assembly elections, is eager to expand its influence, even at the cost of its allies. Its first step will be to encroach upon the territory of Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. While Shinde serves as the guardian minister for Thane, BJP minister Ganesh Naik, who is the guardian minister for the neighbouring Palghar district, has decided to hold a Janata Darbar in Thane. Naik, also the state’s forest minister and a Navi Mumbai native, stated that he will organize these gatherings in Thane city every three months to meet with citizens and address their grievances.

This move is seen as a response to Shinde’s previous dissatisfaction with the appointment of guardian ministers in certain districts. Naik’s action seems aimed at undermining Shinde’s authority, especially since he announced a BJP event in Kopri, Shinde’s constituency. This is likely to heighten tensions between the two former allies of the Shiv Sena.

Although the BJP and Shiv Sena are part of the Mahayuti coalition, Naik has also openly advocated for the BJP to contest the upcoming Thane civic elections independently. “For a better Thane, only the lotus (BJP’s symbol) should bloom here,” Naik remarked, further straining relations.

The Sena has not taken kindly to Naik’s move. Shambhuraj Desai, a state tourism minister from the Shiv Sena, criticized the decision as a deliberate provocation. Thane MP Naresh Mhaske warned that the Sena would now hold Janata Darbars in Palghar and urged Naik not to jeopardize the alliance.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule supported Naik’s initiative, explaining that the party is assigning ministers to engage with citizens in districts where their guardian ministers are not present. “A minister belongs to all of Maharashtra and can hold meetings anywhere. Our ministers are acting as Sampark Mantris to reach out to the people and solve their problems. It ultimately benefits the public,” Bawankule said.

Naik’s announcement comes amid growing discord between the BJP and Shinde’s camp over the appointment of guardian ministers. Following objections from Shinde, the appointments of NCP’s Aditi Tatkare and BJP’s Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers of Raigad and Nashik have been postponed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Shinde’s camp views Naik’s action as an attempt by the BJP to challenge his stronghold in Thane. As chief minister, Shinde consolidated power in the district by appointing officials loyal to him, which had often put him at odds with the BJP. The party now appears intent on making inroads into Shinde’s stronghold.

According to a senior BJP minister, the party believes that its success in the assembly elections largely stemmed from its campaign efforts. The BJP feels that its allies, such as Shinde and Ajit Pawar, gained more seats in the coalition than they would have alone. The BJP is positioning itself for long-term dominance in Maharashtra, seeking to strengthen its presence wherever possible.

The rivalry between Naik and Shinde dates back to the 1990s when Anand Dighe, the then Shiv Sena leader of Thane, controlled the district. After Dighe’s death, Naik, who left the Shiv Sena in 1998, served as Thane’s guardian minister three times under the NCP. Shinde rose to prominence in Thane from 2017-18 and has largely held the role of guardian minister for the district since, maintaining control of the Thane Municipal Corporation for over two decades.

The two have remained political adversaries. In the last Lok Sabha elections, Naik attempted to field his son, Sanjeev, for the BJP, but Shinde secured the seat for the Sena. Shinde also brought Naik’s rivals from Navi Mumbai into his camp and actively campaigned against Naik’s son.

Though Naik was initially not favoured by the BJP leadership, the party unexpectedly inducted him into the state cabinet after the Mahayuti coalition regained power. This move was seen as an indication that the BJP sought to challenge Shinde’s influence in his territory, and Naik’s latest actions appear to confirm this strategy.