Following defeat in Ward No. 5, some Sainiks are up in arms against the MLA
Rebellion seems to be brewing against Vinod Ghosalkar (MLA, Shiv Sena) in Matoshree. According to sources in the Sena den, massive complaints have started accumulating against Ghosalkar post the civic polls. Requesting anonymity, a senior Sena official said, “The main reason for the complaints is the defeat suffered by Sena in ward number 5 in the civic polls. Sanjay Ghadi, who was contesting from Sena, suffered a huge defeat in the ward, which has caused such outrage against Ghosalkar.”
The official confirmed that since Tuesday several members and volunteers have been lining up at Matoshree, sighting reasons for the defeat in ward number 5.
Lost pride
Ward number 5 saw Ghadi take on Prakash Darekar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), brother of Pravin Darekar (General Secretary, MNS). Sena members and volunteers reported that, in this ward battle, Ghosalkar did not support Ghadi during the campaigns, rallies and show of strength. Members alleged that the MLA was pre-occupied with campaigns for his son Abhisekh Ghosalkar (ward number 01).
“He (Ghosalkar) was busy with his son’s campaigns and ignored supporting Ghadi, which was not in sync with the Sena spirit,” claimed a Sena candidate. In the end, Darekar won the seat, which was a huge setback to the Sena. Senior Sena members, during the audit post elections, noted this and demanded an explanation from Ghosalkar.
Angered by the outcome, several Sena members even approached Uddhav Thackeray, executive president, Shiv Sena, at Matoshree. “Uddhavji was unavailable to meet us, thus we have dropped our complaint letters. We hope that our causes are heard, as this will prevent future losses for the party,” said a Sena volunteer.
Ghosalkar denies complaints
Speaking to the ADC, Ghosalkar replied, “Ghadi is an idiot. He never had any potential to win this seat. He is now cribbing about his loss, but he does not understand the loss of the party.” Rubbishing allegations of him providing overwhelming support to his son during campaigning, Ghosalkar said, “I was the one handling the entire campaigning for Ghadi. From planning Uddhav Thackeray’s speech to organising road shows, everything was my brain-child,” claimed Ghosalkar.
Wanting to remind Ghadi of his origins, Ghosalkar said, “Unlike Ghadi, who came after been kicked out from the MNS, we are saffron loyalists. His wife had lost by 5,000 votes to our candidate last time. Let him approach Uddhavji, I know whom he will back.”