Mumbai: Among the six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs, the case of Mumbai North East MP Sanjay Dina Patil has become the most curious. Patil, the lone Mumbai Sena (UBT) MP out of three to have defected, was the least expected to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Initially with the undivided NCP, he had switched to the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019.
“Patil got elected in 2024 after defeating BJP’s Mihir Kotecha because of minority and other Congress votes from areas like Mankhurd and Shivaji Nagar in Mumbai North East constituency,” a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary said. “Even in other areas, like Bhandup and Vikhroli, it was the hardcore UBT voter that helped Patil defeat BJP. So, electorally there was no reason for him to jump ship. In fact, he had easy access to the Thackerays and Matoshree since he was based in Mumbai. He is the one with the least acceptable defence to betray the party.”
Patil was the only Shiv Sena (UBT) MP who personally attended the meeting called by party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday — the five other rebel MPs attended virtually. On Wednesday, he had even claimed: “I’m not in Delhi; I’m in Mumbai. I’m tired of all this speculation. If something is going to happen it will happen. There is no point in discussing this. I will not go anywhere for any rebel MPs list. I’ve not been invited by Shinde Sena so why should I go to them. I’m not in touch with other MPs.”
He, however, did not attend the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting on Thursday, and has been incommunicado since then. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Patil kept them waiting for the Thursday meeting till the last minute. “We were expecting Patil to attend the meeting. There was no reason for him to leave the party,” Raut said.
Surprisingly, Sena (UBT) banners featuring Patil’s photograph were seen in his Mumbai North East constituency in areas like Kanjurmarg on Friday. Even his daughter Rajool, a Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator from Bhandup, posted congratulatory messages on the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s 60th anniversary and shared a post featuring photos of Balasaheb, Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray. “Heartfelt congratulations to all Shiv Sainiks on the 60th anniversary of Shiv Sena! A single thought of Maharashtra’s creed, fights for Maharashtra’s welfare, always standing behind the common people, Shiv Sena for everyone!” her post on X stated.
Rajool was given a ticket for the BMC polls at the insistence of her father despite opposition from local party workers, who were backing former corporator Anisha Mazgaonkar. “There were female candidates from Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS who were in the fray. However, Uddhav Thackeray said that Patil’s daughter should be given the ticket,” Raut said.
Patil’s father, Dina Bama Patil, was an MLA from Mulund in 1985. In 2004, Sanjay Patil was elected to the legislative assembly from Bhandup. In 2009, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Mumbai North East on an NCP ticket. He lost the election for the same seat in 2014 to BJP’s Kirit Somaiya and in 2019 to BJP’s Manoj Kotak. He then joined the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019.
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