The Shiv Sena (UBT) faced internal criticism on Monday when senior MLA and group leader in the assembly, Bhaskar Jadhav, likened the party’s functioning to the Congress, citing a lack of accountability and responsiveness to senior leaders’ suggestions.
Speaking at a meeting of office-bearers in Ratnagiri district’s Chiplun, Jadhav expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership’s reluctance to replace underperforming office-bearers.
“It is disheartening to say, but our party has become like the Congress. Non-performing leaders are not replaced, and suggestions from senior leaders are ignored,” Jadhav remarked, in the presence of former MP Vinayak Raut and leader Sanjay Kadam.
He emphasized the need for reflection and course correction to strengthen the organization ahead of local body elections.
Jadhav proposed fixed tenures for party office-bearers and urged leaders to prioritize integrity over favoritism. “Leaders who favor those offering money discourage hardworking party workers.
Shiv Sena is like fire; sometimes, we must walk on coals to strengthen it,” he said. Highlighting inefficiencies, he questioned the need for multiple shakha pramukhs in villages with small voter bases and suggested limiting office-bearers’ terms to three years.
Acknowledging Jadhav’s concerns, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated that the party would address the issues with him.
However, he cautioned senior leaders against publicly airing grievances, especially during crucial times. “As senior leaders, we must speak with responsibility,” Raut said.
Vinayak Raut, present at the meeting, downplayed the controversy, stating Jadhav’s suggestion for fixed tenures aligned with Uddhav Thackeray’s vision for organizational reform. He added that Thackeray had been considering amendments to the party’s constitution to implement this change.
Jadhav’s remarks, however, posed a challenge for Thackeray’s leadership, especially with critical elections approaching.
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