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Internal conflict in Shiv Sena in Ahilyanagar: Tejaswini Rathod enters the fray as an independent candidate
Ahilyanagar, December 29, 2025 (Online News)
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena has suffered a major setback in the municipal corporation elections. Following the surfacing of internal differences within the party, Tejaswini Rathod, wife of Yuva Sena state joint secretary Vikram Rathod, has decided to contest as an independent candidate. This development has exposed the conflict between the Rathod and Kale factions within the Shiv Sena in the city, causing a stir among party leaders.
While the seat-sharing deadlock within the Maha Vikas Aghadi remains unresolved, internal squabbles within the Shiv Sena have intensified. Vikram Rathod expressed his displeasure by posting an emotional message on social media, stating that the party "no longer needs me." This incident has brought the Rathod family's contribution to the history of Shiv Sena in the city back into the spotlight. Vikram's father, the late Anil Rathod, was a prominent leader who worked for 40 years to establish Shiv Sena in the city. He also served as an MLA for 25 years. Until 2018, under his leadership, Shiv Sena had the highest number of corporators in the municipal elections.
The repercussions of the state-level split were also felt in the city. Most of the current and former corporators joined the Shinde faction, but Vikram Rathod remained loyal to Uddhav Sena. However, since the local office-bearers did not take him into confidence during the election process, he decided to contest as an independent candidate. "Even during the party split, we did not defect. But now, we were told to send a letter and fill out the application for candidature; there is no trust left. Contesting independently is the only option," said Vikram Rathod.
On the other hand, Uddhav Sena city chief Kiran Kale expressed regret over this. "Anil Rathod is our idol. We tried to meet Vikram many times, but he did not come. We are giving candidatures according to his recommendations. We don't understand why he took this decision," said Kale. This internal conflict has further complicated the Uddhav Sena's position in the municipal elections. Although party officials are trying to control the damage, securing the support of the Rathod group has become difficult. The political atmosphere in the city has heated up after independent candidates filed their nominations with the Election Commission.
Ahilyanagar, December 29, 2025 (Online News)
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena has suffered a major setback in the municipal corporation elections. Following the surfacing of internal differences within the party, Tejaswini Rathod, wife of Yuva Sena state joint secretary Vikram Rathod, has decided to contest as an independent candidate. This development has exposed the conflict between the Rathod and Kale factions within the Shiv Sena in the city, causing a stir among party leaders.
While the seat-sharing deadlock within the Maha Vikas Aghadi remains unresolved, internal squabbles within the Shiv Sena have intensified. Vikram Rathod expressed his displeasure by posting an emotional message on social media, stating that the party "no longer needs me." This incident has brought the Rathod family's contribution to the history of Shiv Sena in the city back into the spotlight. Vikram's father, the late Anil Rathod, was a prominent leader who worked for 40 years to establish Shiv Sena in the city. He also served as an MLA for 25 years. Until 2018, under his leadership, Shiv Sena had the highest number of corporators in the municipal elections.
The repercussions of the state-level split were also felt in the city. Most of the current and former corporators joined the Shinde faction, but Vikram Rathod remained loyal to Uddhav Sena. However, since the local office-bearers did not take him into confidence during the election process, he decided to contest as an independent candidate. "Even during the party split, we did not defect. But now, we were told to send a letter and fill out the application for candidature; there is no trust left. Contesting independently is the only option," said Vikram Rathod.
On the other hand, Uddhav Sena city chief Kiran Kale expressed regret over this. "Anil Rathod is our idol. We tried to meet Vikram many times, but he did not come. We are giving candidatures according to his recommendations. We don't understand why he took this decision," said Kale. This internal conflict has further complicated the Uddhav Sena's position in the municipal elections. Although party officials are trying to control the damage, securing the support of the Rathod group has become difficult. The political atmosphere in the city has heated up after independent candidates filed their nominations with the Election Commission.
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena has suffered a major setback in the municipal corporation elections. Following the surfacing of internal differences within the party, Tejaswini Rathod, wife of Yuva Sena state joint secretary Vikram Rathod, has decided to contest as an independent candidate. This development has exposed the conflict between the Rathod and Kale factions within the Shiv Sena in the city, causing a stir among party leaders.
While the seat-sharing deadlock within the Maha Vikas Aghadi remains unresolved, internal squabbles within the Shiv Sena have intensified. Vikram Rathod expressed his displeasure by posting an emotional message on social media, stating that the party "no longer needs me." This incident has brought the Rathod family's contribution to the history of Shiv Sena in the city back into the spotlight. Vikram's father, the late Anil Rathod, was a prominent leader who worked for 40 years to establish Shiv Sena in the city. He also served as an MLA for 25 years. Until 2018, under his leadership, Shiv Sena had the highest number of corporators in the municipal elections.
The repercussions of the state-level split were also felt in the city. Most of the current and former corporators joined the Shinde faction, but Vikram Rathod remained loyal to Uddhav Sena. However, since the local office-bearers did not take him into confidence during the election process, he decided to contest as an independent candidate. "Even during the party split, we did not defect. But now, we were told to send a letter and fill out the application for candidature; there is no trust left. Contesting independently is the only option," said Vikram Rathod.
On the other hand, Uddhav Sena city chief Kiran Kale expressed regret over this. "Anil Rathod is our idol. We tried to meet Vikram many times, but he did not come. We are giving candidatures according to his recommendations. We don't understand why he took this decision," said Kale. This internal conflict has further complicated the Uddhav Sena's position in the municipal elections. Although party officials are trying to control the damage, securing the support of the Rathod group has become difficult. The political atmosphere in the city has heated up after independent candidates filed their nominations with the Election Commission.
