Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
There is growing speculation in political circles that former corporator and currently a member of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) Shiv Sena, Raju Shinde, is likely to return to the BJP. Last week, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was in the city, and on this occasion, former MP Raosaheb Danve organised a luncheon. According to BJP insiders, discussions were held at this event regarding Shinde's potential return to the party. However, there is strong opposition to Shinde's entry into the party, leading to the formation of two factions within the party.
Shinde has been given multiple opportunities by the party in various positions within the municipal corporation. However, despite this, he contested the state assembly elections twice against the party's interests. He was also involved in lobbying for other candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, opposing the party. Last year, he left the BJP and joined the Thackeray group, securing around a lakh votes in the assembly elections, but he was defeated.
Besides, it was frequently mentioned in public speeches that he worked for the MIM candidate against the BJP candidate in the East constituency. Hence there is opposition to Shinde's re-entry into the party. However, with the upcoming municipal elections, some believe his return could benefit the party, and a faction within the party is now lobbying senior leaders to bring him back.
Senior leaders will make the decision
BJP’s city president, Shirish Boralkar, said, “ The senior leaders of our party will decide over Raju Shinde's entry. The city's leaders and the state president will decide on this matter.”