Former mayor of Pen in Raigad district and accused in the Pen Urban Cooperative Bank scam, Shishir Dharkar, joined the Shiv Sena UBT at Thackerays’ residence Matoshree in Bandra (East) on Monday. Dharkar, who was earlier associated with the NCP, was away from politics after he became an accused in the over Rs 500-crore Pen scam. Uddhav said, “You (Dharkar and his supporters) had an easy way. You could have gone to the washing machine (of BJP and got a clean chit from the central agencies). But you are not one of them. You came to the Shiv Sena, now all fighters. Shiv Sainiks are with you.” Uddhav Thackeray also announced a public rally in Hingoli district of Maharashtra on August 27 and another rally in Pen soon after. “I am going to Hingoli on August 27 and then whenever you all will decide a date, I will come to Pen and speak to you,” Uddhav said.
