Vasant More set to join Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of Maharashtra Assembly polls

Vasant More, a 3-time corporator, met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday to express his desire to join the party. He is likely to officially join the party on July 9

More, a three-time corporator, met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday to express his desire to join the party. (File/ Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

After quitting MNS ahead of Lok Sabha polls, and contesting as candidate of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) from Pune, Vasant More switched sides again to join Shiv Sena ahead of Assembly polls. However, it is likely to trigger a tussle within the MVA alliance during Assembly elections over the Hadapsar seat.

More, who is the former city MNS chief, had parted ways with Raj Thackeray-led MNS after he was sidelined by party leadership due to what he said was local MNS leaders misleading party high command about him.

He was once a confidant of the MNS chief and was part of the party from the time of its inception by Raj Thackeray who had just left Sena. A three-time corporator, More had unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections in the past on an MNS ticket.

After MNS showed little sign of fielding him for LS elections, More decided to quit the party and got in touch with NCP (SP), Congress and Sena (UBT) expressing a wish to contest the Pune Lok Sabha seat. He eventually contested as a VBA candidate and bagged just over 32,000 votes in LS elections.

He then met Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai and expressed his desire to join the party. “I am originally from Sena and am returning back to the party. There is nothing more I can say about the decision,” More said. He will likely officially join the party on July 9.

More had contested from Hadapsar Assembly constituency in the past as an MNS candidate, and is looking to try his luck this time as a Sena candidate from the same constituency.

The Hadapsar Assembly seat is represented by NCP legislator Chetan Tupe, who is likely to be the party candidate in the forthcoming elections, while city NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap too is gearing up to contest the Assembly seat and the Congress too is likely to stake a claim on the seat. “The Congress has good strength in the constituency which was represented by party legislator Balasaheb Shivarkar in the past. So we would like to contest again,” said a Congress leader.

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For Sena, it was once the bastion when Mahadeo Babar won the Assembly seat. “We want to contest and get back the seat for the party,” said a Sena leader.

However, the NCP (SP) is confident of winning the Assembly seat after it managed to get a lead in the segment in the recent LS polls, despite the seat being represented by an NCP legislator of Ajit Pawar camp.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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