Who is Anil Desai, unseen power of Uddhav Sena, now in poll fray from tough Mumbai South Central
Mumbai: “A dependable and loyal aide”, “a pretty great listener”, “one who understands the problems of the city” — this is how colleagues explain Anil Desai, a very long-standing confidant and backstage existence in the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), who is now the party’s Lok Sabha polls prospect for the Mumbai South Central seat. Desai, who has been a representative of Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Rajya Sabha, instructed ThePrint, “I am essentially a Rajya Sabha human being. But when the celebration leadership asked me, i.e. Uddhav saheb, that I have to be in the fray for the Lok Sabha, I claimed whatsoever the aadesh (get). Immediately after all, aadesh will work in our celebration. So right here I am, now contesting for the Lok Sabha.”
Desai is set to signify a seat that spans from Prabhadevi to Trombay — encompassing the affluent Dadar, the birthplace of Shiv Sena, and Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum. Mumbai will forged its votes on 20 Might during the fifth period of polling.


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The Mumbai South Central constituency is a melting pot of assorted demographics, with a major Marathi populace together with substantial Dalit and Muslim communities, particularly in Mahim and Dharavi. The constituency is also dwelling to Christians, Parsis, and a developing number of Gujaratis, Marwaris, and Jains.
The incumbent MP Rahul Shewale of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction is a Dalit. According to political analyst Vaibhav Purandare, the minority communities have historically supported the Congress, and if this assist extends to Shiv Sena (UBT) on the floor, only then will it be beneficial to the alliance. “The anti-incumbency from Shewale is also there. Furthermore the division of the Marathi votebank between UBT and the ruling alliance will also give advantage to UBT as it will include to their votes,” Purandare explained.The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance in Maharashtra — which is a portion of the INDIA bloc at the national degree — incorporates the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Nationalist Congress Social gathering (NCP) below Sharad Pawar and the Congress.
“At this point, this constituency is delicately poised. It can swing possibly way,” Purandare instructed ThePrint. “There are many elements that can make a decision which way the constituency would vote, which includes its demographic composition, and when the precise campaigning starts off along with the Modi component. So we have to have to see how it goes and it is way too early to comment,” he additional.Nevertheless, Purandare highlighted that the Modi factor can perform a enormous job in favour of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which features the Shiv Sena led by Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Bash (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Get together (Ajit Pawar faction). “And if the MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) issue attempts to divide votes in favour of Mahayuti, and if the Congress votes are not translated correctly, then the ruling alliance can benefit. Which is why I mentioned it is delicately poised and can go possibly way,” he defined.ThePrint attained Rahul Shewale, the applicant reverse Desai, for remark via calls and messages. This report will be up-to-date when a response is acquired.
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Who is Anil Desai?
Desai’s affiliation with Shiv Sena dates back again to the 1970s when he joined the Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti Mahasangh (SLSM) — a team advocating for the legal rights of the Marathi ‘manoos’ or locals. The SLSM is the critical organisation of the Shiv Sena and was one particular of the very first wings of the get together fashioned for the rights of the Marathi-talking people today in the state.“The essential inspiration arrived due to the fact I applied to go to the Dasara Melava (an annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena) at Shivaji Park, so I believed I should really get the job done for this induce,” stated Desai, who commenced his vocation at New India assurance organization in the 1970s. As a SLSM activist, he also contributed as a tutor for pupils planning for competitive examinations at the Sena Bhawan.Increasing via the ranks, Desai grew to become a critical surveyor for elections in the early 90s and was appointed as the party’s secretary in 2002. His role expanded to incorporate the party’s authorized affairs and Election Fee issues, these kinds of as electoral reforms and money management, information selection concerning the electoral rolls, and extra.
In accordance to occasion insiders, Desai’s ascent in Shiv Sena paralleled Uddhav Thackeray’s increase to prominence. Initially reliant on senior figures from Bal Thackeray’s era — like Manohar Joshi, Sudhir Joshi, and Subhash Desai — Uddhav progressively included Desai in his main group, a Shiv Sena (UBT) chief advised ThePrint. Desai’s political occupation advanced even further when he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2012. In the course of the 2014 assembly elections, when the BJP-Sena alliance dissolved, Desai played a pivotal part in negotiations with the BJP — leading to a coalition government formation in 2015. “I have normally been a backstage person. I utilised to negotiate each and every time, be it Lok Sabha or BMC polls. On superior phrases, settlements utilised to acquire position. But during assembly polls, it did not go perfectly, but then we received alongside one another. So just about every time through negotiations with the BJP, I employed to be there at the forefront,” Desai told ThePrint. However, Desai has had his share of controversies as very well. Earlier in the month, he was referred to as in by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Law enforcement for a preliminary inquiry into an alleged misappropriation of Rs 50 crore from the party’s money.
In accordance to the criticism, the Shiv Sena (UBT) allegedly withdrew Rs 50 crore from the bash fund even after the Election Commission (EC) declared the Shinde faction as the serious Shiv Sena. The EOW is investigating likely dishonest and forgery related to the fund withdrawal and experienced summoned Desai for questioning.Uddhav’s trusted aide
According to social gathering insiders, Desai is the “single place person” for celebration president Uddhav Thackeray, overseeing all organisational factors and liaising with top rated occasion officers. Notably, he has been instrumental in taking care of the party’s methods and was reportedly the brainchild driving the 2014 assembly election slogan “UTha Maharashtra (wake up Maharashtra),” with Uddhav Thackeray initials — subtly endorsing Uddhav for the chief minister’s function.Arvind Sawant, a occasion colleague, praised Desai’s loyalty to Uddhav, contrasting him with adversaries who lack his steadfastness. “He is a reliable and loyal aide of Uddhav saheb…His opponent (Shewale) has by now betrayed Thackeray (by becoming a member of Shinde soon after the split) and can even betray Dharavi. Remaining a Mumbaikar, he understands the difficulties of the town, including that of Dharavikars,” Sawant told ThePrint.
Desai’s know-how extends to the party’s strategic functions and administrative management. He performed a pivotal job in the legal battle among the two Sena factions, collaborating with MLC Anil Parab and a crew of lawyers to argue the scenario before the Supreme Court docket. Nevertheless, the circumstance end result did not go as expected for the celebration.“He is a very superior listener and that sets him apart,” reported a single of his colleagues, while another highlighted his quiet character and well mannered manners, which, he stated, could assist in his candidature. “A backstage actor tends to make the entrance-going through actor appear fantastic and prosperous. He has often stayed in the back again but now is his time to shine in front as nicely,” claimed Sawant. However, according to analyst Purandare, at the moment, Desai is non-controversial and the party’s sober English-talking confront, who has often been “selected” instead than “elected”, which could be a problem connecting with the people today.
But Desai continues to be optimistic. “People in Maharashtra know what is suitable or wrong. And this time about, you simply cannot get people today for granted. This election will present the way that folks, as voters, were taken for a experience. This feeling is quite considerably there. And they know whom they should be putting their religion in. And Uddhavji is that deal with. And as a applicant, there will be an straightforward endeavor from my side,” he asserted.(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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