Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 26: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday evening formally inducted Mayur Shinde, a history-sheeter with multiple criminal cases, into the party, igniting fresh political controversy in Thane. Shinde’s induction took place in the presence of BJP MLAs Sanjay Kelkar and Niranjan Davkhare, Thane BJP president Sandeep Lele, and other senior party officials.

Shinde, originally from Bhandup and later shifted to Thane after police externment, faces multiple criminal charges registered in Mumbai and Thane, including serious offences such as murder and extortion. In 2023, he was arrested for allegedly making threatening calls to Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and his brother.

This is not Shinde’s first political attempt. In 2017, he sought a Shiv Sena ticket for municipal elections but was denied. Posters and banners announcing his induction into the BJP appeared in Thane a few days ago, but the party temporarily delayed the move following criticism from opposition parties. His eventual entry into the BJP has once again drawn sharp reactions.

Sources say Shinde is eyeing the upcoming Thane civic elections and may contest from Ward No. 14 in the Savarkar Nagar area. He had been actively seeking a BJP ticket, raising speculation over whether he might be nominated as a candidate.

A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader questioned the party’s decision, saying, “The BJP claims to be a party with a difference. If they cancelled Mayur Shinde’s induction earlier due to criticism, under what compulsion have they now inducted him into the party?”

Responding to the criticism, Thane BJP president Sandeep Lele said, “There have been cases against Mayur Shinde, and he has been released by the court. Some cases are still pending. He has been inducted into the party as a normal worker. We have not given him any post nor declared him as a candidate for the elections.”