Vinayakrao Patil, along with former Shiv Sena (UBT) Latur district chief Santosh Somvanshi, was formally inducted into the party at a ceremony held in Thane on Monday, an official statement issued by Shinde's office stated

Welcoming the new entrants, Shinde said the party’s expansion from Buldhana to Nanded reflects growing public trust in the government’s development agenda. He described Shiv Sena as a “party of workers” where everyone is treated equally, it said

He added that he continues to work like a grassroots member, maintaining an open-door approach for party workers

Shinde said the party is guided by the principles of its founder Balasaheb Thackeray and his mentor Anand Dighe

Shiv Sena is a party of workers where no one is big or small. Even as a leader, I function as a common worker, maintaining an open-door policy where no appointment is needed to meet me, Shinde said