Updated on: 04 May,2024 11:58 AM IST | Mumbai
Sam Nadar | news@debotimes.in

Election battle in Thane gets fascinating as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with the candidates from Sena (UBT) and Sena (Shinde) in Thane are all proteges of Dighe

The immense influence of Anand Dighe that once prevailed in Thane continues to linger more than two decades after his untimely death. Elsewhere, it is just Sena versus Sena, whereas in Thane references to Dighe have added another layer of complexity to the contest.

In Thane, it will be Dighe’s proteges who are invoking his name and battling against each other representing each faction of the Shiv Sena. The candidates of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) both learnt the ropes of politics under the tutelage of the then Thane Sena chief Dighe. Sena (UBT) candidate Rajan Vichare will be fighting against Mayor Naresh Mhaske Sena (Shinde). Mhaske is the former Mayor of Thane while Vichare is Thane MP. It will be interesting to see how voters perceive and respond to these competing narratives.

After the split in the Shiv Sena, MP Vichare remained with Uddhav Thackeray while Mhaske, the former mayor of Thane city joined Shinde and was the chief spokesperson of Shinde Group. "Selecting a candidate against Vichare was difficult for the BJP and Shinde group as there were many names. But Shinde trusted his close aide Mhaske. Also, with Mhaske contesting, it will be easy for the Shinde group to use the disciple to Dharamveer Anand Dighe card for them against Vichare. While it is claimed that there is an element of risk in fielding Mhaske, but Shinde is in his home turf and is trusted for his decision,” said a source from Thane.

Vichare in his speeches attributes his growth in public life which started as an ordinary Sena worker then to a corporator, a mayor and now an MP to the guidance and blessing of Anand Dighe. Most of the social media posts of Vichare also featured Dighe.

While Mhaske, too, claims he had worked under the guidance of Dighe since his school life and his journey as the office-bearer of Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena to Thane Mayor happened under the guidance of Dighe and Shinde. Mhaske said, "Who said that he (Vichare) is a disciple of Dighe saheb. After Dighe saheb left us we are following his path in terms of social work, political work and religious events. We organised festivals and programs in Dighe saheb’s name. But Vichare is doing all the festivals and programs in his own name and has forgotten the Dighe parampara. And now during the election they are using the photo with Dighe to encourage voters and are claiming that they are disciples of Dharamveer Anand Dighe saheb," said Mhaske.

After getting the nomination, Mhaske visited Dighe's memorial and Anand Ashram at Tembi Naka and started the campaign work in Anand Ashram. In the next 19 days, the battle for the Lok Sabha will be fought from Anand Ashram. Mhaske has said that the help of Mahayuti partners including MNS and other parties will also be taken for the campaigning and election. While Vichare had filled the nomination form a few days ago, Mhaske had filled up the nomination on Friday. Vichare was accompanied by Aditya Thackeray, Dighe’s nephew Kedar Dighe and Jitendra Awhad. Mhaske was accompanied by Shinde, Ganesh Naik and Anand Paranjpe.

Vichare while speaking to media said, "They claim that Thane is their fortress, but Thane belongs to Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and Balasaheb Thackeray. Instead of viewing it as a fight between two Shiv Sainiks, we can say one side is the traitor while the other is an honest Shiv Sena worker. I worked almost 35 years on the ground to reach here. Dighe saheb and Balasaheb are still alive seeing us. The traitors will be exposed by the voters," he said and added that we are followers of Dighe saheb who never compromised with the traitors.

Matoshri had hoped to get a better grip over Thane after Dighe’s demise and groomed Shinde to fill the leadership vacuum. However, ironically, Shinde who is also Dighe’s protégé was the key in splitting the Sena and rendering Matoshri powerless.

Who is Anand Dighe
Even after two decades of his demise, Anand Dighe is still held in reverence in Thane cutting across party lines. Dighe was considered both a boon and bane to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He would unfailingly deliver results for the party supremo, but had a mind of his own. It was due to Dighe that Thane earned the moniker of being the Shiv Sena’s impregnable fortress. Though he was a law unto himself, he was booked under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act in the murder of Sena corporator Shridhar Khopar.