'Wife will commit suicide, Narayan Rane will finish me': Sena MLAs' bizarre reasons to become ministers

Bharat Gogawale, the Shiv Sena's Chief Whip and MLA from Raigad, has stirred controversy by revealing that several party MLAs secured ministerial positions under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by providing unconventional reasons. As per a TOI report, Gogawale said that several Shiv Sena MLAs, who joined Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, had secured ministerial roles by "citing bizarre reasons".

Gogawale detailed instances where unusual claims influenced the allocation of ministerial roles. One MLA purportedly cited the threat of his wife's suicide if he wasn't made a minister, while another claimed that Union Minister Narayan Rane would pose a danger if he was not included in the cabinet. A third legislator even went as far as to threaten resignation if not granted a ministerial berth.

Speaking at a public event in Raigad, Gogawale indicated that Chief Minister Shinde had been put in a challenging position due to these circumstances. He explained his decision to withdraw from the race for a ministerial post, recounting how he advocated for certain MLAs to be included based on their unconventional reasons.


Gogawale said, "I called one and asked him, in Sambhajihagar, two out of five MLAs have been given ministerial posts. In Raigad, none of the three MLAs have ministerial positions. I asked, why are you in such a hurry? He said, what do I do when my wife says something? I told Eknath Shinde to give the ministerial berth to him. Then I said an MLA should not be finished by Narayan Rane. We will lose one seat. So give it to him too. I wait for them and I'm waiting until today."

Gogawale further highlighted a regional disparity in ministerial appointments, raising questions about the urgency behind such decisions.

His assertions have garnered attention for shedding light on the intricacies of the Shiv Sena's internal dynamics and the complex considerations that impact such appointments.

Additionally, Gogawale connected his perspective to historical precedent, citing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's establishment of Swaraj with the support of Mavalas. He suggested that Eknath Shinde's elevation to the position of Chief Minister was a result of the collective efforts of individuals like him.

Earlier this year, Gogawale had expressed optimism about being included in a cabinet expansion. However, during a recent cabinet expansion, Shinde group MLAs were not appointed to ministerial positions. The implications of Gogawale's statements have sparked discussions about the nature of political appointments and the factors influencing them.