Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 11: The BJP’s move to appoint Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik as the election in-charge of seven organisational districts in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s stronghold Thane — has turned the spotlight back on one of Navi Mumbai’s most seasoned and assertive political leaders.

A veteran of Maharashtra politics, Naik’s new role is being viewed as a potential flashpoint between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) ahead of the local body elections. His decades-old rivalry with Shinde, rooted in the power politics of Thane and Navi Mumbai, adds a charged dimension to the BJP’s internal equations in the region.

Born in Bonkode, a small village that urbanised with the rise of the TTC Industrial Zone, Naik’s early political journey began in labour unions, particularly among Mathadi (head loader) workers. His influence among industrial and working-class communities soon made him the Shiv Sena’s face across Navi Mumbai’s fast-growing nodes — Vashi, Nerul, Airoli, and Turbhe.

By the late 1980s, Naik had carved out his own domain in Navi Mumbai, though his rise was far from smooth. His turf wars with Thane strongman Anand Dighe forced Bal Thackeray to intervene and define territorial boundaries within the party. Naik’s first electoral success came in 1990 from Belapur, followed by a ministerial berth in the Sena-BJP government in 1995.

However, Naik’s independent streak often put him at odds with party leaders, including then Chief Minister Manohar Joshi. After his expulsion from the cabinet, Naik’s political journey took a decisive turn — he quit the Sena in 1999 to join Sharad Pawar’s newly formed NCP.

Though his initial attempt under the NCP banner ended in defeat, Naik made a strong comeback in 2004, winning from Belapur and serving as a senior minister in multiple departments over the next decade. His influence extended deep into Navi Mumbai’s civic and industrial circuits.

In 2014, the political tide turned again when Naik lost to BJP’s Manda Mhatre, a former aide. With the BJP’s ascendancy in the state, Naik gravitated toward the saffron party, formally joining it in 2019 and winning the Airoli seat.

Despite his stature, Naik was kept out of the Cabinet — a move attributed to his rivalry with Shinde. His induction as Forest Minister in 2024, however, marked a comeback of sorts. His latest assignment — overseeing BJP’s campaign machinery across MMR — cements his status as one of the party’s key regional strategists.

For the BJP, Naik offers a crucial counterbalance to Shinde’s influence in Thane. His deep organisational network, cross-community appeal, and reputation as a political heavyweight capable of standing up to giants like Thackeray and Dighe make him an invaluable asset.

As Maharashtra gears up for civic polls, the political landscape of the MMR could once again witness sparks — this time between old rivals under the same alliance umbrella.