The BJP in Thane, its influential leaders in particular, continue to be restive in the wake of the party’s decision to keep the constituency with Shinde Sena. The leaders and their supporters have distanced themselves from the campaign of Shiv Sena’s Naresh Mhaske, CM Eknath Shinde’s associate. Shinde has made the Thane seat, his home turf, a battle of personal prestige, and he is worried more about it than the neighbouring Kalyan where his son Dr Shrikant Shinde is in a comfortable position against the Sena (UBT). Thackeray Sena has fielded MP Rajan Vichare in Thane.

In Thane, however, Shinde is burdened with the might of “raging bulls” in the BJP. The Ganesh Naik group from Navi Mumbai was much eager to contest the election. Naik’s ex-MP son Sanjeev was a favourite to run for it and began preparations, but had to wrap up the day seat-sharing was announced. Naik’s supporters quit their positions in protest and refused to work for Shinde Sena. We’re told that the anger persists in Navi Mumbai, and Naik’s other areas of influence.