1 November, 2024;In a recent statement, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi raised concerns over the significant increase in the assets of several rebel MLAs from Maharashtra. She pointed out that the personal wealth of some leaders, including Geeta Jain, Deepak Kesarkar, and Tanaji Sawant, has reportedly surged by 50-100% between 2019 and 2024.
Chaturvedi’s remarks are directed at the group of 40 Shiv Sena legislators who switched allegiance in 2022 from the original Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Thackeray, to join the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde. She suggests that the data from 2019 and 2024 asset declarations reveals that these legislators benefited financially after making this political shift, raising questions about their motivations.
“By highlighting the asset declarations of these leaders over the past five years, I have shown that their decisions were based solely on personal gain, not the interests of Maharashtra or its people,” Chaturvedi asserted.
The sharp rise in assets has sparked debate in Maharashtra’s political landscape, as the opposition questions the intent behind these defections. Many see Chaturvedi’s statements as reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among opposition leaders with the political realignments that have taken place in recent years.
This issue raises broader concerns about the political climate in Maharashtra, with questions surrounding accountability and transparency in asset reporting. As leaders like Chaturvedi continue to bring such issues to light, the public’s attention remains focused on the motives behind these political transitions and the impact on governance and integrity in the state’s leadership.
As the state approaches upcoming elections, statements like these signal that debates around transparency and the financial conduct of politicians may play a significant role in the political discourse.
