Former MLA Santosh Tarfe joins Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, major setback for Uddhav Thackeray faction in Hingoli

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction has suffered a setback in Hingoli district after former Kalamnuri MLA Dr Santosh Tarfe joined the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday along with several districtlevel leaders and hundreds of party workersTarfes induction into the Shindeled party took place in the presence of Shinde and sitting Kalamnuri MLA Santosh Bangar The move comes ahead of the upcoming local selfgovernment elections and is expected to influence the political landscape in Hingoli districtSeveral prominent local representatives and officebearers also joined the Shiv Sena alongside Tarfe including the Thackeray factions Hingoli district chief Gopu Patil former Zilla Parishad president Ganaji Bele and former municipal president Nandkishor ToshniwalFormer Zilla Parishad members former sarpanches gram panchayat members branch chiefs senior officebearers and hundreds of party workers were also among those who joined the partyThe induction is likely to strengthen the Shiv Senas organisational presence in the district while weakening the Thackeray factions local networkShinde promises support for tribal community developmentWelcoming the new entrants Shinde said the Shiv Sena guided by the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe was committed to the development of ordinary people and societyReferring to Tarfes association with the tribal community Shinde said his entry into the party would create opportunities to expand development initiatives for the communityYou have joined the Shiv Sena that follows Balasahebs ideology Work for society and work for the Shiv Sena The Shiv Sena will always stand by you for your development work and social upliftment We will ensure that you do not face any shortage of support Shinde saidHe also urged the newly inducted leaders and workers to focus on social development alongside strengthening the party organisationGovernment support for pending projects in HingoliShinde referred to development works undertaken in Hingoli district and said substantial funds had earlier been made available through MLA Santosh BangarHe assured the new entrants that the government would continue to provide support for pending development projects infrastructure improvements and initiatives aimed at the welfare of the tribal communityThe deputy chief minister said the government would extend the necessary assistance to ensure that development work in the region continuedHis remarks were aimed at reassuring local leaders and representatives that their development priorities would receive government support following their induction into the partyPolitical significance ahead of local electionsThe entry of Tarfe Patil and several other districtlevel leaders is being viewed as a significant organisational gain for the Shindeled Shiv Sena in HingoliThe development assumes importance ahead of the upcoming local selfgovernment elections when political parties are expected to intensify efforts to consolidate their support at the grassroots levelThe induction of former legislators local representatives and party workers could strengthen the Shiv Senas position in the district while posing a challenge to the Thackeray factions organisational structureShinde also called for a large public gathering to be organised in Hingoli in the near future and said he would attend the event personally He congratulated the new entrants and wished them success in their political journeySenior Shiv Sena leaders attend induction ceremonyThe induction ceremony was attended by MLA Santosh Bangar MLA Kishor Appa Patil Shiv Sena secretary Ram Repale and Satara district liaison chief Sharad KanseSenior Shiv Sena officebearers and a large number of party workers from Hingoli were also present at the eventThe party has welcomed the induction as an opportunity to expand its organisational presence in the district and strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the upcoming elections