Workers of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) Shiv-Sena and the Eknath Shinde's Shiv-Sena on Monday came face to face over the control of the Shiv Sena office in Shivainagar. The Vartak Nagar police came to intervene in the matter in order to maintain peace.
Thackeray's group raised slogans outside the branch, alleging that the Shinde group had seized the branch by force. In order to prevent the clash further, the Thane police enforced curfew orders to disperse the crowd.
One of the members from the UBT group alleged "The branch was closed and locked but the Shinde group members forcefully seized it. It was functioning for the past 35 years, how can anyone just enter and take control.”
Eknath Shinde's Shiv-Sena Thane spokesperson Naresh Mhaske said, “Shivainagar constituency comes under the leadership of MLA Pratap Sarnaik and he manages the entire administration. All the three corporators and office bearers of this place are with us but some people were trying to show their possession and ownership right.
Senior police inspector Vartak Nagar police station Sadashiv Nikam said, “We haven't received any complaint from both sides but law and order should be maintained.”
Video of the clash viral
A video purportedly showing the clash between the rival groups and the police dispersing them went viral on social media platforms.
The police have not yet registered any offence in connection with the incident in Thane city, the political turf of CM Shinde.
Clashes since party's vertical split
The clash was recent in a series of such incidents over the control of 'shakhas' (local offices) after a split in the Shiv Sena. Spread across Maharashtra, these 'shakhas' served as organizational backbone of the undivided saffron outfit.
Shiv Sena name, symbol to Shinde group
The Election Commission last month recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena and allotted it the 'bow and arrow' poll symbol.
Since then, there has been speculation over the ownership of the undivided party's properties, including 'shakhas', where the cadre assemble for party meetings and addressing grievances of local residents.
