Ahead of Pune civic polls, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena eyeing leaders from other parties

After the Shiv Sena split three years ago, only one of the 10 former Pune corporators of the party has sided with the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

The Shiv Sena is all set to induct Congress leader Sonali Marne and other potential candidates for civic polls from other parties

Uncertain about any pre-poll alliance for the upcoming civic elections, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is going all out to make its presence felt in Pune city, where it has lost its sheen over the past few years, with only one of the 10 former corporators of the undivided party joining the Maharashtra deputy chief minister’s faction.

After the Shiv Sena split led to the distribution of workers between the Shinde-led party and the Shiv Sena (UBT) of Uddhav Thackeray three years ago, all the former corporators except for Nana Bhangire preferred to continue with Thackeray. A few of the nine leaders later joined the BJP, instead of any of the two Senas.

Also, the Shinde-led Sena struggled to make its presence felt in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

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The Sena first roped in former Congress legislator Ravindra Dhangekar with the responsibility of reviving the party in Pune city. “We will induct leaders and workers from other political parties soon. The Shiv Sena’s strength will increase in the city with a focus on preparing to contest civic polls independently,” said Sena leader Dhangekar, adding that it was not known whether there would be a pre-poll alliance with Mahayuti partners, the BJP and the NCP, before the civic elections.

The Shiv Sena is all set to induct Congress leader Sonali Marne and other potential candidates for civic polls from other parties. “I have decided to join the Shiv Sena as the Congress is not fulfilling its responsibility. The Congress is no more active,” said Marne.

Dhangekar said there would soon be a party rally in the city, where Eknath Shinde would induct Marne and other leaders.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena (UBT) inducted former MNS leader Vasant More to revive the party in Pune. The Opposition party has recently held protest rallies in the city against the ruling Mahayuti.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More

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