Shiv Sena (UBT) struggles amid defections in Konkan, Marathwada
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) is grappling with a series of defections in its strongholds of Konkan and Marathwada, prompting party chief Uddhav Thackeray to hold a key meeting at Matoshree. The party is formulating strategies to counter the growing influence of the Eknath Shinde-led faction and the BJP.
On Saturday, Thackeray convened a meeting of senior leaders at Matoshree, where former MP Vinayak Raut was tasked with identifying new leadership for Rajapur. The move comes after former MLA Rajan Salvi and several other local leaders joined the Shinde faction. Salvi blamed Raut for his electoral defeat, citing a lack of support.
During the meeting, Raut reassured the leadership that despite defections, the party retains significant support in Rajapur and the Konkan region. He highlighted the continued influence of Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, announcing a series of public rallies in Sangameshwar, Chiplun, Lanja, and other parts of Ratnagiri to regain lost ground.
Notably, Bhaskar Jadhav, the party’s only remaining MLA from Konkan, did not attend the meeting. His WhatsApp status—a video showing goats blindly following their shepherd into a river, accompanied by a Marathi film song—sparked speculation about his dissatisfaction with the party leadership.
Jadhav has previously voiced disappointment over being overlooked for key positions, particularly as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. While he later clarified that his remarks were not directed at any specific leader, he expressed concerns over the party’s handling of internal discontent.
In Marathwada, the situation is worsening for Sena (UBT), with several leaders switching sides. Suresh Bankar, who had contested the assembly elections from Sillod in Jalna under the party’s banner, has rejoined the BJP, citing constituency interests. Another candidate from Aurangabad West, who had lost to Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat, is also expected to return to the BJP. In Hingoli, Rupali Patil, who lost to BJP’s Tanaji Mutkule, is reportedly considering a switch.
A party leader from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar admitted that many leaders, including Rupali Patil, had been dissatisfied for months and were likely to join the ruling alliance. In the recent assembly elections, Sena (UBT) managed to win only three out of 46 seats in Marathwada, despite the region being a traditional stronghold.
With defections mounting, the party faces an uphill battle to retain its remaining leadership and rebuild its grassroots presence against an increasingly dominant Shinde Sena and BJP.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
