“I Am Personally Shocked,” Says Andhare on Ahir’s Exit
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sushma Andhare has expressed deep surprise over senior leader Sachin Ahir leaving the party, saying the development has raised serious questions about trust and accountability within Maharashtra politics.
Speaking in Pune, she said the exit was not just politically significant but also personally unexpected, as Ahir had been the one who brought her into the party structure.
She said in a combined remark: “I was personally shocked by Sachin Ahir’s decision to quit the party. He was the one who brought me into the organisation and played a key role in strengthening it in Worli. I did not expect this move at all.”
Sudden Move Raises Questions Within Party Circles
Andhare revealed that Ahir had recently called her for a meeting on June 28 but did not indicate any intention of leaving the party at that time.
She suggested that while the decision may have been sudden, such a major political move should ideally have been communicated in advance to senior colleagues and grassroots workers.
According to her, the lack of warning has created confusion among party workers who trusted his leadership role in the organisation.
Allegations of Planned Defections in Maharashtra Politics
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also raised concerns over what she described as a recurring pattern of defections in Maharashtra politics.
She claimed that major leaders have been leaving the party around its foundation period over the past few years, pointing to exits of Manisha Kayande, Neelam Gorhe, several MPs, and now Sachin Ahir as part of a larger trend.
She alleged that in her view: “Important leaders are leaving the party around the same time every year, which makes it look like a coordinated political pattern rather than isolated incidents.”
Criticism of State Leadership and Political Priorities
Targeting the ruling political leadership, Andhare criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that more focus was being placed on expanding political influence rather than addressing governance issues.
She also remarked that the political approach of the current leadership appeared influenced by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, suggesting a shift in strategy within the state’s ruling ecosystem.
Call for Internal Accountability Mechanism
Speaking further on organisational issues, Andhare said that internal discipline and accountability needed to be strengthened within the party structure.
She argued that leaders should be regularly reviewed based on their commitment, interactions, and participation in party activities, to prevent unexpected exits in the future.
She also demanded a formal mechanism to investigate the reasons behind defections and ensure ideological consistency within the organisation.
“Ideology Must Come Before Individuals”
Reaffirming her loyalty to the party, Sushma Andhare stressed that ideology should always take precedence over individual ambitions, especially during politically uncertain times.
She concluded that strengthening organisational discipline and ideological clarity is essential for the party’s future stability in Maharashtra politics.
