Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (left) and Uddhav Thackeray (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, one of the six “rebel” Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, on Sunday confirmed he has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, saying he needed funds to work for the people of his constituency”The work of party workers is not being done as we are not on the side of power. People elected us with a lot of expectations, and getting their work done is my job. But I was not getting any development funds. The Rs 5 crore MPLADS fund is very limited. Considering these factors, I have taken this decision. We need funds, and I have taken this step. I will keep working for the people, and I will complete the responsibility assigned to me by the people,” the Hingoli MP said in a video posted on social media.The remarks were Ashtikar’s first since speculation about “Operation Tiger” and a possible split in the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party began gathering pace.He further stated that his decision to switch sides was also influenced by “certain remarks”—an apparent reference to senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, the most vocal critic of the dissident MPs. Raut had used abusive language against them during a press conference. “I, and some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which made us believe that there is no point in staying here (Sena-UBT),” he added.
‘Have not compromised with ideology; can respond to Raut in kind’
Ashtikar also rejected suggestions that he had compromised on his ideology and cautioned against the use of abusive language against the rebel MPs.”I have not gone anywhere. I have simply moved from one Shiv Sena to another. People have every right to express their anger, but they should also watch their language. I will not pressure anyone to join me, but I will stand by them,” he remarked.Ashtikar described Sanjay Raut as a “fatherly figure” but warned that the rebel MPs were capable of responding in kind.”Though he is a fatherly figure and can reprimand us, he should understand that everyone has the capacity to reply in kind. Such incidents can take place once in a while. Even he (Raut) knows the after-effects.”Besides Ashtikar, Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar skipped the party’s parliamentary meeting in Delhi on June 17, fuelling speculation that they could soon cross over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has nine Lok Sabha MPs. Under the anti-defection law, the dissidents would need the support of at least six MPs to avoid disqualification.
