Daijiworld Media Network – Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri, Jan 20: A major political development from the Konkan region has sparked fresh discussions, with speculation resurfacing about Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and Guhagar MLA Bhaskar Jadhav being dissatisfied within the party.

With district council (Zilla Parishad) and panchayat samiti elections approaching across Maharashtra, political activity has intensified in the Thackeray-led Sena faction. Against this backdrop, a recent statement by Jadhav has triggered debate in political circles.

“I don’t know about the district, but I will win all seats in all three panchayat samitis in my constituency,” Jadhav said, prompting questions on whether the senior leader is focusing only on his constituency while remaining indifferent to the larger district-level electoral picture.

For several days now, Jadhav has maintained distance from the media and has also refrained from commenting on the broader political situation in the state. His primary focus, it appears, is on the Zilla Parishad and panchayat samiti elections within his own constituency. When questioned about the district scenario, his response surprised many. “I don’t know about the district, but I will win all three panchayat samitis in my constituency,” he reiterated.

Explaining his strategy, Jadhav said that his constituency has 14 Zilla Parishad seats and 28 panchayat samiti seats, taking the total number of candidates to 42. “The decision on who these 42 candidates will be has already been finalised,” he said.

He elaborated that traditionally in Konkan, the Kunbi and Maratha communities receive around 90 per cent of the seats, with the remaining 10 per cent going to other communities. “Out of the 14 Zilla Parishad seats, I have allotted 11 seats to different communities, including the smallest ones. I represent the Bahujan community, and taking all sections along is the teaching of HinduhHridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray. I have selected candidates based on that principle,” Jadhav stated.

Launching a sharp attack on the ruling dispensation, Jadhav alleged that the government’s conduct was questionable and accused it of resorting to unfair practices to win elections. “Earlier there were allegations of EVM manipulation, then ballot paper issues, then poaching of opposition candidates, leaders and elected representatives. Now a new formula has emerged — flooding elections with money, distributing cash and winning polls,” he claimed.

He asserted that while his camp lacked financial strength, it had overwhelming people’s power. “We don’t have money power, but we have massive public support. I am confident that people’s power will defeat money power,” Jadhav said, while once again asserting that he would win all three panchayat samitis in his constituency with 100 per cent certainty.

Jadhav, however, maintained that he could not comment on the outcome across the entire district, further fuelling political speculation about his role and stance within the party ahead of the crucial local body elections.