08 May,2025 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Eknath Shinde`s Office
In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming civic polls, seven former corporators from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) [NCP (SP)] in Thane have joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The induction took place on Thursday in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske, and other senior leaders.
This development marks a major setback for the NCP (SP), especially in the Kalwa-Mumbra region - considered a stronghold of senior party leader Jitendra Awhad.
Among those who joined the Shiv Sena are former Thane Municipal Corporation Opposition Leader Milind Patil, ex-corporators Manali Patil, Mahesh Salvi, Manisha Salvi, and Surekha Patil (who also served as working president of the Thane Mahila NCP - Sharad Pawar group). Former corporator Pramila Mukund Keni and NCP (SP) youth leader Mandar Mukund Keni also switched allegiance to the Shiv Sena.
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With these additions, Shiv Sena continues to consolidate its strength in the Thane Municipal Corporation, where it currently holds 78 corporator seats.
In an official statement, the party said, "The Shiv Sena does not operate only during elections. Our commitment is 12 months, 365 days a year. That dedication and consistent grassroots work have inspired leaders and workers from other parties to place their trust in Eknath Shinde's leadership and join our movement."
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said that the Maharashtra government's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme for women will never be scrapped.
Eligible women receive Rs 1,500 a month under the Ladki Bahin scheme, which is believed to have contributed to the ruling Mahayuti script a stunning victory in last year's assembly polls.
Shinde was speaking in Thane on May 1 after several office-bearers and workers of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) from Navi Mumbai joined his Shiv Sena. The group was led by Sena (UBT) functionary Ratan Mandvi.
"People are joining the Sena because they want development," said Shinde.
Addressing concerns over welfare schemes, Shinde said, "The Ladki Bahin programme will never be stopped." He accused the opposition of spreading rumours and urged citizens not to believe in misinformation.
The Shiv Sena chief promised full implementation of his party's poll manifesto. "We will not give excuses like printing mistakes. Whatever I assure will happen, and whatever is not possible will not happen," he said.
