Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra's politics has become muddied and "markets of inducements" have been set up to buy loyalty, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Ambadas Danve claimed in an open letter on the occasion of Shiv Sena's foundation day on Thursday.
Drawing on all-rounder Kapil Dev's legendary knock of 175 during the India-Zimbabwe match in the 1983 world cup, Danve said he sees the iconic cricketer, known for his fighting spirit, in every Shivsainik.
The Shiv Sena faction (led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) cannot claim the legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray, Danve asserted without taking any name.
In today's situation, Bal Thackeray's mantra of "80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics" needs to be followed, the leader of opposition in the state legislative council said in the letter addressed to the party workers, which he posted on his X handle.
Only Shiv Sainks remember this formula today and no one else, including "those who left us", Danve said, in an indirect reference to the Shinde-led faction.
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after a rebellion led by Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. It also led to the collapse of the then Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
"The politics in Maharashtra has become muddied. Markets of inducements have been set up to purchase loyalty. To remain stable in such a situation, there is a need to follow the principle of working 80 per cent for social causes and 20 per cent for politics," Danve said.
The rival faction cannot claim the legacy of Bal Thackeray, who is the "father of our organisation and we can say this with confidence", he said.
"There are a thousand problems around us which will encourage us to fight," the MLC said.
The Shiv Sena, founded in 1966, came to power in 1995, he noted.
"We shall not take that long to come back to power now. We shall take up public issues and fight for them," he said in the letter.
Danve recalled that during the India-Zimbabwe cricket world cup match on June 18, 1983 (a day before the Shiv Sena's anniversary), Kapil Dev steered the Indian team to victory, when no one thought it to be possible.
"I see a Kapil Dev in each Shivsainik. Our courage is our strength and it should not come down. The Thackeray father-son (referring to Uddhav and his son Aaditya) are standing strong and we should stand by them," he said.
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