Five Former Shiv Sena (Thackeray) Corporators to Join BJP, Setback for Sena Ahead of Pune Municipal Elections

Pune, 7th January 2025: In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, five former Shiv Sena (Thackeray) corporators from Pune are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today. The corporators—Vishal Dhanwade, Pallavi Javale, Bala Oswal, Prachi Alhat, and Sangeeta Thosar—will be inducted into the BJP at a ceremony in Mumbai.

The event will take place in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol, and BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

This decision marks a significant blow to the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) faction in Pune. The defection comes amid internal discontent within the party and allegations of neglect from its senior leadership.

The former corporators cited infighting among senior leaders and a lack of focus on Pune as key reasons for their departure. According to party insiders, no decisions had been made by the leadership to strengthen the party’s presence in Pune. Two of the defectors had earlier expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, highlighting the lack of direction and neglect by the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) leadership.

Adding to the turmoil, the party had expelled three of these corporators shortly before their announcement to leave. This exodus has raised concerns about the Shiv Sena (Thackeray)’s organizational strength in Pune, where its influence has been waning.

While the entry of these five corporators is expected to bolster the BJP’s prospects in the municipal elections, it has caused unease among the party’s loyal workers. Several BJP office bearers have expressed dissatisfaction, asserting that external entrants should not be prioritized over long-standing party workers.

The BJP, along with its allies Shiv Sena (Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), recently secured a significant victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance. Meanwhile, the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (Thackeray), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), suffered a severe setback.

The defecting corporators accused the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) leadership of indifference toward its grassroots workers and lack of efforts to expand its base in Pune. “For the last five years, there hasn’t been a single meeting focused on strengthening or expanding the party in the district,” one former corporator alleged.