Ganesh Naik’s nephew is ABS candidate from Thane

There’s no love lost between Thane-based Sena leader Anand Dighe and Ganesh Naik, and Sena chief Bal Thackeray has also not been very happy with the Thane guardian minister. In a sudden move last year, he had ordered the closure of all stone quarries in Parsik Hills in Thane when relations between him and Naik hit an all-time low.

Dighe strongly denied that Sharad Naik and Ganesh Naik were connected. “You’ve got it wrong,” he said and asked, “Can everyone with the surname Naik be related?”

But Ganesh Naik said Sharad Naik was indeed his nephew. Regarding his relationswith Sharad, he said: “I haven’t been in touch with my cousin brother’s family for a long time. How am I to know what decisions my nephew takes?”

According to Sharad Naik, his uncle was unhappy when he learnt of his decision to join the ABS and tried to discourage him. “I nevertheless went ahead because I see a lot of promise in this party,” he pointed out.

He, however, requested that his guru in politics shouldn’t be put into any trouble for whatever he says or does.

“It could be true that the ABS decided to opt for me at the last moment because of a strategic rethink,” Sharad said, adding, “my party is hopeful of putting up a tough fight against Paranjpe.”

He pointed out that he had the support of senior Congress leaders in the constituency, but refused to name them. This has further fuelled doubts about the Congress’ relationship with gangster Arun Gawli’s outfit.