Sachin Ahir has finally become deputy chairperson of the state legislative council. One does not know whether it was his ambition, but one can surely say that he was looking at the opportunity to get out of Shiv Sena (UBT).
He was never a loyalist. An import from the NCP when it was united, Ahir was basically brought to Shiv Sena to make sure that Aditya Thackeray had a trouble-free run in the assembly elections. Another MLA who was ousted from his constituency was Sunil Shinde. Shinde is from Shiv Sena (UBT), so he may not complain much openly. But both Ahir and Shinde were moved to the legislative council because Aditya Thackeray had to get elected from the Worli assembly constituency. "Kem Chho Worli" was one of Aditya’s campaign lines, much to the dismay of the strong Marathi voter base of the Uddhav Sena.
Ahir is a very good leader who did well in the NCP when it was united. He is also related to underworld don Arun Gawli. When he moved to the united Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde welcomed him wholeheartedly. Now, Ahir has decided to leave the Uddhav Thackeray faction and join the Eknath Shinde camp, which controls both the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol and the party name.
No action can be taken against Ahir immediately for deserting his party as he has become Deputy Chairperson of the legislative council. Posts like Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman of the council or Deputy Chairperson are exempt from action under the law even if they change parties. Ahir can avail of that benefit.
Ahir joined the Shinde group after six MPs deserted the MVA for the Shinde camp. The Deputy Chief Minister termed it as another sixer that he had hit against the Thackerays. "There will be more sixers," promised Shinde.
Uddhav Thackeray seems to have stopped introspection. He started his tour of Maharashtra only after six MPs left his party. Had the tours been undertaken earlier, Uddhav would have solidly gripped the six deserting members of parliament. Better late than never, now that Uddhav is holding rallies in constituencies represented by the six rebel MPs who deserted him.
Eknath Shinde is now aiming to oust Aditya Thackeray from the Worli constituency; that is why Ahir’s elevation as deputy chairperson of the legislative council has taken place.
Aditya should beware, work more at the grassroots level and build up his strong support base. Otherwise, Shinde is all set to snatch it from him.
