Not a single district MLA gets ministerial berth in new govt

Thane: For the first time in the last two decades, Thane district has failed to find any representation in the state ministry, setting off anxiety and criticism in the BJP camp for ignoring the traditional Hindutva bastion.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s decision to appoint BJP MLA Vishnu Savra from the tribal town of Vikramgad, is largely seen as a representation to the newly-created Palghar district, while Thane has been given a go-by, at least for now.
The Thane-Dombvili-Kalyan-Ulhasnagar-Shahapur townships have traditionally been the secure pockets of Hindutva voters and the Sena-BJP have been in power in the civic bodies in these townships.
However, post break-up between the Sena-BJP, voters have shown an inclination towards the BJP which garnered more than 28% votes, winning seven of the 17 seats it contested. The Sena polled close to 30% votes, winning six out of 18 seats it contested.
‘‘We had high hopes that Thane would definitely find a berth in the state ministry in the first round itself. The BJP had fared exceptionally well in Thane city and more importantly it won over the Sena after a very long time. A ministerial berth to either of the seven MLAs would have made it easier for the BJP in the forthcoming polls to the civic body of Kalyan-Dombvili, Navi Mumbai etc,’’ said a political observer.
He added that in 1995 when the saffron allies stormed into Mantralaya, the Sena and BJP had collectively three MLAs from Thane district in the state ministry. The then chief minister Manohar Joshi had inducted Ganesh Naik, Shabir Shaikh and Jagganath Patil in his ministry.
In 1999, the then chief minister Vilasrao Chavan had administered oath to Ganesh Naik from the NCP and he was also appointed as the guardian minister of Thane. ‘‘Subsequently, Thane district was represented by Naik, Vasant Davkhare (appointed as deputy chairperson of the state legislative council), Jitendra Awhad, Pramod Hindurrao (president of CIDCO) and Rajendra Gavit. This time, however, not a single MLA has been sworn in as yet,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, sources said the district will get its representation in the second round of ministry formation after the successful conclusion of the on-going talks between the Sena and BJP. It is believed that the Sena will nominate its senior leader and three-time MLA from Kopri-Panchpakhadi Eknath Shinde to the cabinet.