Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 9: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who recently admitted that Pune had been ‘neglected’ due to his party’s earlier alliance with the BJP, is now preparing to shift his political focus to the city ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. Party insiders revealed that Thackeray has received a detailed file documenting alleged irregularities in development works carried out by the BJP-led Pune Municipal Corporation over the past five years.
According to party sources, a major public meeting is being planned in Pune where Thackeray is expected to expose the BJP’s administration. In a move reminiscent of MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s style, Uddhav is also likely to present evidence in a ‘Laav Re Toh Video’ manner, creating anticipation among Punekars.
Pune City Chief Sanjay More, Gajanan Tharkude, and former corporator Vasant More met Thackeray in Mumbai to discuss election strategies. BJP has been in control of the Pune Municipal Corporation for the last five years. Party workers have compiled comparisons of promises made in 2017 versus the actual work done, along with a list of alleged irregularities, and handed it over to Thackeray.
Thackeray last visited Pune in October, where he admitted that despite Shiv Sena’s strength in the city, the party had repeatedly sidelined Pune due to coalition compulsions. “If Punekars want, I will put the Shiv Sena to work here with full force. If they call me with love, I will come,” he had said. With civic polls nearing, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief now looks set to honour that commitment.
‘Pune Pattern’ and its fallout
The political experiment known as the ‘Pune Pattern’—where Shiv Sena, BJP, and the then NCP came together in 2007 to keep former MP Suresh Kalmadi away from power—had long-term consequences for Shiv Sena.
Under the arrangement, the mayor and deputy mayor posts went to the NCP, the Standing Committee chairmanship to Shiv Sena, while the BJP assumed the Opposition role. But when the 2009 assembly elections approached, the alliance dissolved. The fallout proved disastrous for Shiv Sena, whose corporator strength fell from 20 in 2007 to 15 in 2012, and just 10 in 2017. Today, only three corporators remain with the Thackeray-led faction.
“Party chief Uddhav Thackeray has been given a file containing information about irregularities committed by the BJP in the last five years. A public meeting will be held in Pune soon, where he will also interact directly with citizens,” said Sanjay More, City Chief, Shiv Sena (UBT).