Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has made the Kopri Panchpakhadi seat contest exciting by choosing Kedar Dighe, Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe's nephew, who is also the mentor of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
It is obvious that through this election, Eknath Shinde will try to show his strength and retain the power, while Uddhav Thackeray will also want to settle scores for the split in his party occurred two years ago.
Uddhav Thackeray has fielded Kedar Dighe against Eknath Shinde from Kopri Panchpakhadi constituency, who became the Chief Minister after raising the flag of rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde considers Kedar as nephew
Eknath Shinde himself considers Kedar Dighe as his nephew. But due to the changed political scenario, Kedar is now in Shiv Sena (UBT). He never had any such direct confrontation with Shinde before. Uddhav Thackeray has made this election contest interesting by choosing Kedar Dighe, nephew of Anand Dighe, who was also known as Thane's Thackeray.
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It was under the guidance of Anand Dighe that Eknath Shinde strengthened his political hold in the undivided Shiv Sena. Therefore, it would be difficult to understand this electoral equation without mentioning Anand Dighe.
Anand Dighe considered close to Balasaheb Thackeray
Anand Dighe was a strong leader of Shiv Sena. He was considered very close to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Anand Dighe was also known as Dharamveer. He was the head of Shiv Sena's Thane unit for a long time. He was known as a powerful and strong leader.
It was Anand Dighe who mentored many leaders, including the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde. Anand Dighe is called the political guru of Eknath Shinde and Eknath Shinde says and believes this even today. It was under the patronage of Anand Dighe that Eknath Shinde established his political dominance in Shiv Sena and Thane.
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He mentions Anand Dighe in many public meetings. No speech of Shinde is complete without the mention of Anand Dighe. He also released two films on Anand Dighe's political life in the last two years. Anand Dighe died after a road accident but many people call it a conspiracy and murder.
It is also an interesting fact that just before the assembly elections in Maharashtra, the second part of the film 'Dharamveer' based on the life of Anand Dighe was released in theatres recently. This means efforts are on to benefit from the legacy of Anand Dighe in this election.
Now by fielding Anand Dighe's nephew Kedar Dighe in the election fray, Uddhav Thackeray has laid a strong political trap against CM Shinde. By pitting Dighe's nephew against Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray has tried his best to weaken Shinde and his stronghold.
Uddhav Thackeray has tried to target his opponents as well as emotionally attract the old loyal workers of Shiv Sena towards him. That is, multiple targets with one arrow. It can be easily understood what would be the state of mind of CM Shinde, a special disciple of senior Dighe, when he is now competing with his nephew Kedar Dighe.
