Addressing a public meeting in Dhule, Sapkal said the Congress was a party that believed in unity in diversity, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in divisive politics by fuelling caste and religious differences

He said the Congress had delivered strong results in the Lok Sabha Elections and municipal polls and had sent Shobha Bachhav to Parliament from Dhule, and now deserved full control of the civic body

Taking a swipe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Congress leader accused him of betraying promises made to the people

Among those who switched sides were three-time Samajwadi Party corporator Amin Patel, NCP leader and former deputy mayor Haji Shavval Ansari, Parvez Sheikh, Azhar Pathan, AIMIM leaders Gani Dollar and Juned Pathan, Shiv Sena’s Prem Sonar and BJP’s Murtuza Ansari.

Lok Sabha MP Dr Shobha Bachhav, senior Congress leaders Bhai Nagarale, Rajaram Panghavane, Dhule city Congress president Sabir Sheikh, Javed Farooqui, Dhule rural district Congress chief Pravinbapu Chaure, Dr Darbarsing Girase and a large number of party workers were present at the event