Naik’s Shivshakti to challenge Shivshahi

MUMBAI, May 27: After days of dilly-dallying and rumours of an imminent patch-up with Bal Thackeray, Thane strongman Ganesh Naik today went ...

MUMBAI, May 27: After days of dilly-dallying and rumours of an imminent patch-up with Bal Thackeray, Thane strongman Ganesh Naik today went public with his intention to launch his own political outfit, Shivshakti, to take on the Shiv Sena. His son Sanjeev Naik told The Indian Express that the formal launching was scheduled for Friday — the auspicious day of Vinayak Chaturthi.

That Naik had made up his mind was obvious from the warning issued to Shiv Sena by his close aide, a prominent Agri Sena leader and former Thane mayor, Manohar Salvi, recently. "A challenge to the might of Agri community would prove costly to you," he was quoted as saying in vernacular press here. He was referring to Sena’s threats to Agri Sena corporators in Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Ambernath, who form the backbone of Naik’s political base.

However, Naik himself is tight-lipped about Shivshakti’s political agenda and its composition. "There have been all kinds of wild rumours in the press… we are exercising extremecaution now," Sanjeev said. Asked why Naik senior has not been available to speak to media over the week could be the whirlwind tour of the district he has undertaken to garner support for Shivshakti. Besides seeking the blessings of Gagangiri Maharaj at Panvel recently, he was ensconced with a well-known Thane-based Marathi litterateur for over an hour the other day. The efforts, political observers here said, are paying off and Naik may well be ready to emerge from Sena’s shadow as a leader in his own right.

Meanwhile, Naik’s changed equation with Sena has begun to have its impact in other places too. CIDCO director, Vijay Chougule, a close confidante of Naik, is on his way out.