Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday hailed Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir as a grassroots worker with close links to party workers, saying his decision to align with the Mahayuti would strengthen the Shiv Sena. Earlier on Tuesday, Ahir, a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, sprang a surprise by filing his nomination for the election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council deputy chairperson, backed by BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
"Shiv Sena legislators had elected Sachin Ahir to the legislative council earlier, and the ruling party is now backing him for the post of deputy chairman of the council," Shinde told the media.
He said Ahir, a former minister of state, has filed his nomination for the deputy chairman's post with the support of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, and is expected to be elected comfortably given the coalition's numerical strength. The election to the post of deputy chairperson of the council is scheduled for July 1.
"When Ahir became an MLC, it was our legislators who voted for him. He was elected to the upper house (of the state legislature) by Shiv Sena MLAs who had won on the 'bow and arrow' symbol. He is still with us now," Shinde added.
As per the Vidhan Bhavan records, Ahir still had two years left in his six-year term as an MLC. Shinde described Ahir as a grassroots worker with close links to party workers and said his decision would strengthen the Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.
"Shiv Sena has always been a party of workers, and Sachin Ahir is a team player. I welcome him and extend my best wishes," he said.
Referring to the timing of Ahir's nomination, Shinde said it was a coincidence that he filed his nomination papers on June 30, recalling his taking oath as the chief minister in 2022 on this day.
"We are not here to break anything. We are connecting with new people, and they are joining us," he said.
Responding to remarks by Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray that it was "Operation Devendra Fadnavis" rather than "Operation Tiger", Shinde claimed that in 2019, Fadnavis had made "50 calls" to Uddhav, but none were answered.
"I am a witness to it. During the MVA government, language such as 'either you will survive, or I will' was used. False cases were filed, and police were sent to the 'Sagar' bungalow (of Fadnavis). Now, he (Uddhav) is suddenly expressing concerns for Fadnavis. These are crocodile tears, and Fadnavis knows it very well," Shinde added.
Without naming Uddhav, the Deputy CM said he had "never seen anyone change colours so quickly".
On Sena (UBT) MLC Sunil Shinde's remark that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party needs introspection, the deputy chief minister said, "They (Uddhav and other leaders) went to six Lok Sabha constituencies (of rebel MPs who have joined Shiv Sena) and abused people, and therefore Ahir has shown them the mirror. If Sunil Shinde himself is asking for introspection, then they should do it." Meanwhile, Ahir thanked Shinde for reposing faith in him, saying he has been rewarded despite coming from a grassroots background.
"Some people will criticise me, but it is unfortunate to criticise those who take a different stand. I will respond to political comments on a separate platform," he said.
In a dig at Aaditya Thackeray, Ahir said that when someone joins a party, he is welcomed, but when someone leaves, he is termed selfish.
Ahir maintained that he had always discharged every responsibility entrusted to him by Shiv Sena (UBT) and asserted, "I have not left the party."
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