Maharashtra Polls: Blow to MVA as Congress apex, NCP(SP) leaders join BJP in Navi Mumbai | Mumbai News

NAVI MUMBAI: Political divisions continue to rock Navi Mumbai, dealing another major blow to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as city Congress chief Anil Kaushik steps down and joins the BJP. The NCP (SP) also suffered a setback, losing senior leader and former corporator Raja (Vikram) Shinde, who also defected to the BJP. Notably, these leaders are citing new reasons to defend their decisions, adding intrigue to the changing political landscape.

Kaushik, former deputy mayor of Navi Mumbai, along with Raju Shinde, met Devendra Fadnavis in the wee hours of Saturday with Navi Mumbai BJP chief Ramchandra Gharat to join the party. The duo later campaigned for Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre during her visit to Vashi in Mini Maritimes district to meet morning walkers.

The resignations come after former MLA and city BJP chief Sandeep Naik joined the NCP (SP) and was nominated as a candidate from Belapur constituency, leading to revolts in both Mahayuti and MVA.

Interestingly, Kaushik blamed his decision on local party leaders who opposed Sandeep Naik’s candidacy: he is losing. They refused to work even for MP Madhavi, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate in Airoli.”

Kaushik said, “Such disloyalty to the party would disgrace me as I am the party president here. I have long complained to the party leadership about the misdeeds of these leaders, but no action has been taken. I just couldn’t continue under these circumstances.”

On the reason for joining the BJP, he said, “I needed a platform for social work and Devendra Fadnavis is a dynamic leader. I have joined this national party that everyone is attached to, including Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.”

Reacting to Sandeep Naik’s nomination, he said, “I would prefer that the NCP (SP) nominates someone who was loyal to the party. I even told Supriya Sula that if they don’t have a suitable candidate, they should leave the seat and I would happily contest the election, but she did not agree.”

Expressing support for Mhatra, he said, “As a dedicated party worker, I will work hard for her and ensure her victory.”

Meanwhile, Congress leaders burst firecrackers to celebrate Kaushik’s exit from the party. Ravindra Sawant said, “Almost no one traveled with Kaushik except his son and office staff. He has nothing to show for his presidency, despite the party’s trust in him. His departure will not affect the party.”

Congress leader Ramakant Mhatre said, “Kaushik was confined to his ward in Vashi where he lost repeatedly as he did not do enough for the people. He was hardly seen even in his constituency, where people saw him only during elections.”

Speaking about his decision, Raju Shinde, who did not quit the NCP for the BJP when MLA Ganesh Naik quit along with his supporters, said, “I have always been loyal to Sharad Pawar, in whose ideology I believe. However, with Sandeep Naik returning to the party only for election purposes and his father Ganesh Naik still in the BJP, what ideology does he follow? One suddenly declares that he is secular, and the other continues to be a member of the same party. Claims of change for the sake of development make no sense because they were in power for decades, why didn’t they do it then?”

He said: “This decision is not for personal gain. I had to join the BJP because I couldn’t be with the same people we were opposing all along.”

Polygonal struggle, uprisings in both constituencies of Navi Mumbai

Two-time Belapur BJP MLA Manda Mhatre will face former MLA Sandeep Naik, who left the BJP to return to NCP(SP) after he was denied a ticket. Sandeep’s return to the NCP(SP) sparked uprisings within the party. NCP (SP) leader Mangesh Amale is contesting as an independent candidate. The Shiv Sena is facing another rebellion after its leader Vijay Nahata quit the party to fight for independence and former Navi Mumbai deputy mayor Ashok Goud has also filed to contest for independence.

Airoli is also witnessing a revolt with Shiv Sena chief Vijay Chowgul filing his nomination as an independent candidate as the Mahayuti ticket went to BJP MLA Ganesh Naik, his former mentor with whom he has been at loggerheads for years. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader MK Madhavi, an MVA candidate, is receiving little support from his party and alliance partners. His party chief Airoli Dwarkanath Bhoir resigned from the party, while state Congress executive committee member Ramakant Mhatre and his son Aniket, the state Congress vice-president (youth), resigned from their posts.