9 Sena taluka chiefs, two PS chiefs quit posts

9 Sena taluka chiefs, two PS chiefs quit posts

Nashik Dec 18: The appointment of a new Shiv Sena president for Nashik district has led to a revolt in the party, with 11 office-bearers resigning from their posts, demanding action against the party's deputy leader and MLC, Arvind Sawant.

The change in the Nashik Sena leadership was declared, sans consultations with other sainiks, on behalf of the party by the deputy leader of Shiv Sena incharge of Nashik, Arvind Sawant (MLC) on Saturday. This seems to be the cause all the furore among the members.

Accordingly, Sunil Bagul (vice-president of the district unit and district president of Shramik Kamgar Sena, the party's labour wing) was promoted as the district president. The former president, Vinayak Pande, was not assigned any reason for his ouster.

The change of guard has spread a widespread resentment among sainiks all over the district. Among those who have come out openly against the party's decision are: T K Sadgir (president of the Sinnar tehsil unit); Shivaji Chavan (chief of Nashik tehsil unit), Bhagwat Boraste (chief of Niphad tehsil), Mohan Gangurde (chief of Surgana tehsil), Bandu Shinde (chief of Dindori tehsil), Manohar Medhe (chief of Trimbakeshwar tehsil), Bhaskar Gavit (chief of Peth tehsil), Karbhari Aher (chief of Kalwan tehsil), Rajendra Tungar (vice president of Nashik tehsil), Nivrutti Jadhav and Jagan Awale (both members of Nashik Panchayat Samiti).

All the 11 office-bearers of the party in Nashik have sent in their resignations to Sena chief Bal Thackeray. They have accused Sawant of playing petty politics to divide the party in Nashik and demanded his replacement as the guardian of Nashik district.

The dissenting leaders told reporters that there was no reason to remove Pande from the post of district president as during his tenure, the party had elected five MLAs and one MP from the district. They also pointed out that none of the tehsil presidents were taken into confidence by Sawant or the party's leadership in Mumbai before changing the district president. The annoyed office-bearers have decided to meet Thackeray to demand Sawant's removal and also to reverse the decision. They have attributed motives to the change in leadership, accusing Sawant of taking a unilateral decision without confiding in them.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed president of Nashik Sena, Bagul has described the protests as a smear campaign launched against him and Sawant. He has claimed that the decision had been taken at the highest level in the party and that he enoyed the full backing of Thackeray. He has alleged that some disgruntled elements were provoking partymen, weakening the party. Bagul, incidentally, is known for his proximity to the former minister Babanrao Gholap. During the Sena-BJP regime, the Nashik Industrial Manufacturers' Association had filed written complaints.