Mumbai: Rebel Shiv Sena group led by Eknath Shinde all set to field at least five children of its MLAs in upcoming BMC polls

"Dynastic politics is the biggest enemy of democracy. Development begins when dynastic politics ends," said PM Narendra Modi at a rally in Hyderabad in May. This seems to have cut no ice with BJP's alliance partner, the rebel Eknath Shinde group in Maharashtra. Five MLAs from his camp have already hinted that they would field their children in the civic polls. The Shinde faction's youth wing, announced on Friday, is filled with the kin of his legislators.

Raj Surve, son of MLA Prakash Surve of Magathane, Chandivali MLA Dilip Lande's son Prayag Lande, Kurla MLA Mangesh Kudalkar's son Jay, Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar's daughter Priya Sarvankar and Yamini Jadhav's son Nikhil Jadhav will contest the BMC polls. Many of them had earlier put up banners and posters showing their intention of "public service".

Prayag Lande, son of Dilip Lande; Priya Sarvankar, daughter of MLA Sada Sarvankar; Raj Surve, son of MLA Prakash Surve; Nikhil Jadhav, son of MLA Yamini Jadhav and Jay Kudalkar, son of MLA Mangesh Kudalkar

Prayag Lande had fought the BMC election in 2017 on an MNS ticket but he lost, while Sarvankar's son Samadhan won. Now, Sarvankar's daughter Priya is ready to take the plunge.

Kudalkar told mid-day, "My son is working as a karyakarta. If party leaders want, he will surely contest the elections." Lande told mid-day, "I'm in a meeting, can't talk."

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Sarvankar defended his stand saying, "My daughter is already a vibhag pramukh of the party. She is already working with the party. There is nothing like she will be contesting elections all of a sudden," said Sada Sarwankar Mahim, Dadar MLA. Prakash Surve could not be reached immediately.

The development comes at a time when the BJP, the rebel camp's partner, has been attacking its rival parties across the countries for playing dynastic politics.

‘What happened now?'

The Uddhav Sena too slammed the Shinde group.

"They have been blaming Shiv Sena for nepotism. They talk about Uddhav Thackeray and his son, but because of Shiv Sena, even a common person has become an MLA or minister," said Kishori Pednekar, the spokesperson of the Thackeray group.

"What is going on with them now? In their party, only MLAs' kids are getting plum posts. Now they will contest elections too. This is exactly what is called double standards. We need not comment. Voters will give them an answer for sure," Pednekar added.

Mumbai Congress president also slammed the Shinde camp over the importance given to family members. "They accused us of gharaneshahi. What about them? Actually, they don't have the backing of grassroots party workers. Only the leaders are with them."