Gorhe says she’ll work for women, deprived classes

Mumbai: Legislative council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, who switched allegiance to CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena on Friday, lauded the initiatives of the NDA government at the Centre on issues like Ram Mandir, justice for talaq-affected women, Uniform Civil Code and the hoisting of the Tricolour in Kashmir. She referred to the Shah Bano case of 1985 and said there was a need for equal justice for women.Gorhe, the third MLC to move to Shinde’s party after the recent induction of Manisha Kayande and Viplove Bajoria, expressed her gratitute towards Uddhav Thackeray, his wife, Rashmi, and son, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray.She said there was a need to work on agricultural policy, women and child welfare, issues of tribals and deprived classes, and the unorganised sector. “I am joining the Sena for it. I am entering this party by respecting the legislative framework around my deputy chairperson’s post,” she said.While Gorhe did not criticise Thackeray, there were many in the Shiv Sena (UBT) who attacked her. “The party has given her a lot. Even then she has left it for personal gain,” a Shiv Sena (UBT) politician said.Sushma Andhare of the Sena (UBT) said she was not surprised by Gorhe’s move. “She was hinting at her exit for around six months. She may get the ministry of health in the state government’s cabinet expansion,” Andhare said.Born in Pandharpur, Gorhe completed her school and college education in Mumbai. After completing her medical degree, she practised as a doctor between 1977 and 1987. Then she became active in social work through an organisation named Stree Aadhar Kendra, which worked for oppressed women. She joined the Shiv Sena in 1998. She was also associated with socialist and Dalit movements earlier. She has authored around 20 books and published a number of papers on socio-political issues. Shinde said Gorhe’s entry was a historic moment and a testament to the strength of the Sena-BJP unity. “Gorhetai will be able to work freely with all her heart for women. She is not defecting but is joining the original Sena,” he said.Shinde said the 50 people with him had not come to him because they lusted after power. “On the contrary, we left when we were already in power. Did we know what was going to happen when we moved out? We have common ideological ground, right from Balasaheb and Vajpayee’s days. Ministries come and go, but the ideology should not be compromised,” he said.Shinde said misunderstandings were being planted by the opposition and some were floating their own versions of the SC ruling. “PM Modi is leading the nation to be a superpower. We believe we should have a role to play as a state. The opposition keeps spinning stories and rumours to break the unity. Uddhav Thackeray should introspect before levelling allegations,” he said.