A war of words has broken out between Ramdas Kadam and Gajanan Kirtikar, two senior leaders of the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, over the candidature of Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency which Kirtikar represents in the Lower House.
Kadam has raised a question over Kritikar’s loyalty to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena since his son Amol is still with rival Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Kadam has asked if Kirtikar is going to contest elections to win the seat or help his Amol who is also likely to contest polls on the ticket of Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena.
Speculation is rife in the political circle that to counter Gajanan Kirtikar during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Sena (UBT) is likely to field his son Amol against him and the battle would be between the father and son.
Meanwhile, political observers said the open spat between the two senior Shinde-led Sena leaders over the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat candidature has come as a major embarrassment for Shinde who is trying to keep his flock together and show a united front against his rival Uddhav Thackeray.
The feud started a couple of weeks ago after Kirtikar, 80, said he was tired and would not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Taking a cue from Kirtikar’s statement Kadam said, “If Kirtikar is not contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, my other son Siddhesh Kadam is willing to contest the election from this constituency”.
However, Kirtikar replied to Kadam’s remarks asserting that he is mentally and physically fit and will contest the upcoming elections.
This led Kadam to target Kirtikar again. He alleged, “Kiritikar’s son Amol is in the Sena (UBT) but even though the father and son are in different parties they are working from the same office”.
Kadam also alleged that Kirtikar was betraying the Shinde Sena and was making all efforts to get his son Amol elected.
Responding to Kadam’s allegations, Kirtikar in a letter said, “Kadam has expressed his suspicion that I am betraying the party, but Kadam’s history of betrayal is old and there is a long list of the betrayal by him”.
“He had previously made many attempts to defeat me in the 1990 polls. Kadam had rallied workers for the defeat of his brother. All Shiv Sainiks are aware of the journey he took with Sharad Pawar from Khed village to Pune to join the NCP. Hence, Kadam should not talk about betrayal”.
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