In a frank statement that has garnered considerable attention within the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, MLA Santosh Bangar publicly criticized certain members of the Maharashtra cabinet on Monday. He accused some ministers of becoming increasingly unapproachable and detached from the party’s grassroots workers.
Bangar made these comments at a party review meeting in Hingoli, which was also attended by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. The MP is currently touring the Marathwada region to evaluate the party’s organizational strength in preparation for upcoming local and civic elections. A video of Bangar’s address, which included senior leaders and party members from Nanded and Hingoli, quickly went viral.
“Some ministers have let power go to their heads. They do not even respond to phone calls. It is the voters who support us, yet these individuals are ‘leading from a distance.’ Such people should be sent home,” Bangar stated, earning applause from parts of the audience.
Expanding on his critique, Bangar highlighted the growing discontent among grassroots party members regarding their inability to access decision-makers. “Party workers are having difficulties securing appointments. If our own members cannot reach ministers, how can ordinary citizens expect justice?” he questioned.
The significance of Bangar’s comments is amplified by the fact that they were made in front of Shrikant Shinde, the son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has been conducting a series of constituency-level meetings to collect feedback from local leaders and identify organizational weaknesses.
Attendees of the meeting indicated that Bangar’s statements reflect a broader sense of dissatisfaction within the party, particularly in Marathwada, where members have consistently raised concerns about the inaccessibility and lack of responsiveness from ministers.
Another local party member who was present echoed Bangar’s sentiments, stating, “There is a perception that some leaders have distanced themselves from the organization after assuming power. Workers are struggling to resolve even basic issues.”
Bangar also warned party leadership about the potential electoral repercussions of such disconnection. “If this trend continues, we will witness the people’s anger reflected in the elections. We cannot afford to take our voters for granted,” he cautioned.
Although Bangar did not specify any particular minister in his critique, his comments come at a time when the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is conducting internal evaluations amidst concerns regarding party morale, factional coordination, and dissatisfaction at the local level.
Political analysts suggest that the public expression of grievances, particularly in the presence of leadership, signifies growing pressure from within the party to address issues related to governance and accessibility.
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