Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtekar on Sunday explained the reasons behind his exit from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, citing lack of development funds, difficulties of being in the opposition and recent statements from leaders of the Uddhav camp.
Ishtekar also claimed that he and some other MPs “did not go anywhere” till June 18, but changed their minds after certain statements were made against them, in an apparent reference to party leader Sanjay Raut.
Making his first appearance since the ‘Operation Tiger’ rumors started circulating, the Hingoli MP confirmed that he had crossed into the Shiv Sena’s territory headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
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Nagesh Patel talks about why he left Shiv Sena (UBT)
In a video posted on his Instagram account, Ashtekar said he had not compromised on his ideology and “just moved from one Shiv Sena to another”.
Besides citing the lack of development funds, he also emphasized the difficulties of being in the opposition, including the inability to get work done for party workers, as the main reasons behind his defection.
“I and some other MPs (from the Sena-UPT) did not take any decision till June 18. We did not go anywhere. However, some statements have been made against us since Thursday, which made us think that there is no sense in staying here (Sena-UPT),” he said.
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“I am not upset with Uddhav, I am upset with other leaders.”
Ashtekar made it clear that he was not bothered by Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and party leader Sanjay Raut, the most vocal critic of the dissident MPs who used obscene words against them during a press conference.
“The work of party workers is not done because we are not on the side of power. We elected people with a lot of expectations, and getting their work done is my job. But I did not get any development money. $5 Crore MPLAD Fund is very limited. Given these factors, I made this decision.”
He also alleged that despite his best efforts over the past two years, he failed to secure funds for his Lok Sabha constituency.
He added: “We need money, and I have taken this step. I will continue to work for the people, and I will complete the responsibility that the people have entrusted to me.”
In an apparent reference to the Sena’s UBT leadership, Ishtekar said some people may be upset with him, but they will understand his stand eventually.
“I had no choice,” he added.
Ashtekar emphasized that he did not give up his faith:
“I have not gone anywhere. I have just moved from Shiv Sena to Shiv Sena. People can express their anger, but at the same time, they should mind their language. I will not pay anyone to come with me. But I will stand with them,” he added.
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What did Sanjay Raut say?
His remarks came after Sanjay Raut warned that the rebel MPs would face the wrath of angry Shiv Sena workers through ‘Operation Todhwa’.
Raut was also aware of the “after-effects”, Ashtekar said.
“Even though he is a fatherly figure and can scold, he must understand that everyone has the power to reciprocate. Such incidents can happen from time to time. Even he (Raut) knows the after-effects,” he added.
Lok Sabha members Sanjay Dina Patel, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakshwar, Nagesh Patel Ashtekar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar were absent from the Sena parliamentary party’s (UBT) meeting in Delhi on June 17, sparking speculation that their move to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was imminent.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has nine Lok Sabha members. Under the anti-defection law, defectors can avoid disqualification if at least six MPs change sides.
