NEW DELHI: Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, one of the six “rebel” Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, on Sunday said he joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena because he needed funds to work for the people of his constituency.“The work of party workers is not being done as we are not on the side of power. People elected us with a lot of expectations, and getting their work done is my job. But I was not getting any development funds. The Rs 5 crore MPLADS fund is very limited. Considering these factors, I have taken this decision. We need funds, and I have taken this step. I will keep working for the people, and I will complete the responsibility assigned to me by the people,” the Hingoli MP said in a video posted on social media.The remarks were Ashtikar’s first since speculation about “Operation Tiger” and a possible split in the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party began gathering pace.He further stated that his decision to switch sides was also influenced by “certain remarks”—an apparent reference to senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, the most vocal critic of the dissident MPs. Raut had used abusive language against them during a press conference.“I, and some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which made us believe that there is no point in staying here (Sena-UBT),” he added.(Developing story)
