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This is an archive article published on November 4, 2014

Setback for MNS: Senior leader Vasant Gite quits all party posts

Gite played a major role in the success of MNS in Nashik from where the party won three Assembly seats in 2009.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena suffered a severe jolt with senior leader and former Nashik Central MLA Vasant Gite resigning from all party positions. There are reports that nearly half of the party’s 40 corporators in the Nashik Municipal Corporation are contemplating to quit the MNS.

“Because of my personal and family responsibilities I thenceforth will not be fully able to give justice to the post of general secretary of the party. I therefore request you to relieve me from the post,” Gite said in a letter to party president Raj Thackeray on Monday. Along with Gite, nearly 150 MNS workers, including general secretary Atul Chandak and Nashik district president Sachin Thakre, have also put in their papers.

Though Gite said he was not quitting the party, the BJP claimed he had been in touch with it. “Vasant Gite and over a dozen MNS corporators are interested in joining the BJP. The party will take an informed decision over the inclusion in the few days,” BJP in charge for North Maharashtra Vijay Sane said.

Gite played a major role in the success of MNS in Nashik from where the party won three Assembly seats in 2009.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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