As NCP leader Satish Pradhan is expected to rejoin Shiv Sena soon, political observers believe that he may be aiming for a ticket to the Lok Sabha election from Shiv Sena in Thane.
Party does not have strong candidate from Thane after Prakash Paranjape’s retirement
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Satish Pradhan is expected to rejoin Shiv Sena soon, political observers believe that he may be aiming for a ticket to the Lok Sabha election from Shiv Sena in Thane.
“Political developments in the country are pointing towards mid-term Lok Sabha elections soon. Prakash Paranjape, senior Shiv Sena leader and member of the Lok Sabha from Thane, has announced his retirement from politics on health grounds. The party will have to
search for his successor. Pradhan, one-time loyalist of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, will be a strong candidate,” said a source.
Pradhan, a former Rajya Sabha member, had quit Shiv Sena and joined NCP two years ago. He was made the state vice-president but failed to gain the confidence of NCP president Sharad Pawar. Sources believe that one of the reasons for Pradhan’s reported displeasure with the party may be Jitendra Avhad, member of the state legislative council, being Pawar’s blue-eyed boy from Thane.
NCP’s state president Arun Gujrathi said, “Pradhan had expressed grievances about the functioning of the party. He complained that the party is not utilising his knowledge and experience. We have set up a grievances redressal committee, which will hear Pradhan’s complaints and try to find a solution.”
Speculations about Pradhan’s exit from NCP were rife when he shared the dais with Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray at a dahi handi event recently.
Shiv Sena’s Thane president Eknath Shinde said that Pradhan had not discussed his return to the party with him. He said, “Only Balasaheb has the right to decide Pradhan’s rejoining. If he orders us to work for Pradhan, we will abide by it.”
Pradhan apparently does not have many supporters in Shiv Sena. A top Shiv Sena office-bearer in Thane said, “Pradhan is not a popular figure in Thane. He did not maintain rapport with party workers when he was with Shiv Sena. If he will be inducted into the party, the workers will not support his candidature for the Lok Sabha elections.”
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