Amidst the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly election campaign, BJP nominee and former minister Ganesh Naik has stirred significant controversy following a provocative remark he made on Thursday. Naik, who is contesting from the Airoli constituency, declared that all his political adversaries who conspired against him in past elections are now deceased.
The remark comes at a tense time for Naik, as some leaders within his own alliance, Mahayuti, have voiced opposition to his candidacy, even opting out of campaigning for him. Despite these internal challenges, Naik remains unfazed, adopting a combative tone and asserting his ability to handle any adversities that arise. “Last time, I was inattentive. Everyone knows that I was cheated and lost in the 1999 elections,” Naik said, referencing his close defeat over two decades ago. “I had a lead of 7,500 votes in the first round. All the people who conspired against me are dead; not one is left alive. One should not speak ill of the dead. Tell the Lord to keep them with Him so their souls can rest in peace,” he added.
Naik’s political journey has seen several ups and downs, spanning affiliations with both the NCP and the BJP. After a narrow loss to Shiv Sena’s Sitaram Bhoir in 1999 as an NCP nominee, he went on to secure the Airoli seat in 2004 and 2009. However, he faced a setback in 2014 when he lost to BJP’s Manda Mhatre in Belapur. In 2019, Naik successfully won the Airoli seat under the BJP banner, following his son Sandeep Naik’s decision to step back from the electoral race.
Hours after Naik’s statement, Shiv Sena leader Vijay Chaugule issued a pointed response, criticizing Naik’s comments, particularly as they are perceived to reference respected figures like former Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe and ex-NCP leader Vasant Davkhare. “Ganesh Naik has made this statement about Shiv Sena’s former Thane district Anand Dighe and former NCP veteran Vasant Davkhare. We seek votes displaying Anand Dighe’s photo. Anand Dighe is God to us,” said Chaugule. He warned of a public protest if Naik did not retract his statement, pledging to demonstrate near Balasaheb Thackeray’s statue in Airoli if necessary.
Despite clinching the BJP nomination for Airoli, Naik and his son Sandeep Naik’s attempt to secure the Belapur seat for the latter proved unsuccessful, as the party ultimately chose Manda Mhatre, the current sitting legislator.
As the Assembly election campaign heats up, Naik’s comments have intensified debates, sparking reactions that highlight ongoing rivalries and unresolved tensions within Maharashtra’s political landscape.