Thackeray Dynasty Crumbles as Insider Rahul Kanal Defects

Twitter: @VivekBhavsar

A day before the protest march on BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) led by Shiv Sena, which is headed by Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Kanal, who is known to be a close associate of Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, is set to join the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Rahul Kanal is the third leader to make this move, following Ameya Ghole and Prof Manisha Kayande, who were also closely associated with Aaditya Thackeray.

Kanal, who previously faced criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitesh Rane, is expected to participate in joint rallies with the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in upcoming elections.

Ameya Ghole, a former corporator, and ex-Chairman of the Health Committee of BMC, left Yuva Sena and joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in April.

Ghole accused Yuva Sena secretary Suraj Chavan and party leader Shraddha Jadhav of obstructing his path. According to sources within the Shinde Sena faction, Rahul Kanal faced similar treatment. He was reportedly marginalized within the party, despite being a trusted aide of Aaditya Thackeray.

Rahul Kanal, 37, began his political journey with Yuva Sena and was elected as the party’s first Vice President. In 2017, Kanal was observed to be frequently present in the chamber of Yashwant Jadhav, who at different times served as Leader of the House, Chairman of the Standing Committee, and then again Leader of the House in the BMC office.

During Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as Chief Minister, Yashwant Jadhav faced an Income Tax raid in relation to an alleged tax evasion case. On March 22, 2022, Kanal’s properties were also raided by the Income Tax Department.

On June 30, Rahul Kanal and all the office-bearers of Yuva Sena from Bandra West were suspended by Shiv Sena.

This announcement was made through Shiv Sena’s official mouthpiece, Saamana. Kanal responded to the suspension on Twitter saying, “Feeling Sad !!! Very well know who has done this but removing people who have worked for you without a hearing is arrogance and you could remove me but not the people who have worked day and night yet. Chalo acha hai sabko pata chale ke Ego Aur arrogance kya hota hai !!! (it’s good that now people will know what happens with ego and arrogance).”

Though Kanal didn’t mention any names, it’s speculated that his remarks were aimed at Aaditya Thackeray.

It is notable that Nitesh Rane, a youth leader from the BJP, had previously tweeted against Rahul Kanal during the IT raids, saying,

“IT raids at Rahul Kanal’s house!! Aur nikalo Humare Aadhish pe morcha..Bola tha.. Waqt Waqt ki baat hai!!..Mobile tower locations and CDR of Kanal on the 8th and 13th night will also help solve the Disha and SSR cases!! Partners in crime?”

In the days to come, Nitesh Rane and Rahul Kanal are expected to share the stage during election campaigns.