Mumbai: The split in the Shiv Sena two years ago also split some loyal Sena families. Mumbai’s Kirtikar family was one such where the father, incumbent MP Gajanan Kirtikar, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while his son Amol stayed with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
The Lok Sabha election, where the two Shiv Senas faced off in a poll battle for the first time, however, made things a bit awkward for the Kirtikars, and the awkwardness continues post elections too.
A senior leader of the Shinde-led Sena has called for MP Kirtikar’s expulsion for allegedly undermining the party’s interests and supporting his son, a candidate from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT).
Shishir Shinde wrote a letter to Chief Minister Shinde saying Gajanan Kirtikar, MP from Mumbai North West, seems to be “in a hurry to go to Matoshree” and “his behaviour is bringing the party a bad name.” Matoshree is the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Amol contested against the Shinde-led Sena’s Ravindra Waikar. Kirtikar had bowed out of the contest for a ticket.
In his letter to the CM, which ThePrint has accessed, Shishir Shinde said, “Just as Amol Kirtikar’s nomination was announced, Gajabhau became blind in love for his son. For the last one year, Gajabhau was using all government machinery and funds on the advice of his son. The father-son duo were running the party from the same office. The Shiv Sena did not benefit at all, but UBT did.”
Senior Kirtikar denied the allegations saying he had always campaigned for the party wherever the party asked him to go.
“Some things that were said were taken out of context. I am mentally very stressed due to this. Nobody should have to face this in their political life. I work with dedication for a party and my son is contesting against that party…I still did everything for my party, our candidate,” Kirtikar told reporters Wednesday.
In his letter, Shinde, a former MLA who was instrumental in the undivided Shiv Sena digging up the pitch at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium in 1991, spoke about how Kirtikar’s wife had openly supported her son, Amol, on polling day and had referred to Eknath Shinde disrespectfully.
“Gajabhau stood as a mute spectator,” Shinde said.
Clarifying to reporters Wednesday, Kirtikar said his wife has nothing to do with politics and her statements should not be seen from a political prism.
“My wife may have said something, but she is a homemaker, not related to politics. She said some things that were misunderstood, taken out of context,” Kirtikar said.
He added that his wife and son had tried to stop him when he decided to switch sides and join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in November 2022, about five months after Shinde’s rebellion.
“I have explained my reasons (for joining Eknath Shinde) multiple times. There was no ED or anything involved. The way Eknath Shinde led the uprising, putting his life at risk, the way he brought all MLAs together, and held Shiv Sena’s ideology. The party that was etched in our mind was drifting away somewhere and it was dangerous for the future,” Kirtikar said.
He added that he and Shishir Shinde have mutual respect for each other and that this was an intra-party matter that was unnecessarily playing out in public domain.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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