Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 8: With local body elections nearing, the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde continues to attract leaders from rival parties. On Saturday, former MLA from Ahilyanagar, Bhanudas Murkute, joined the Sena along with family members and a group of supporters, strengthening the party’s hold in Shrirampur.

Murkute, 84, a veteran politician and three-time MLA, has been associated with multiple parties in the past, including Congress, Janata Dal, undivided NCP, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Though his influence has waned in recent years, Sena leaders see his experience and cooperative sector clout as a boost ahead of the elections.

“His entry will help the party win big in the upcoming local body polls,” said Shinde. “He believes in the Mahayuti government's development agenda.”

Along with Murkute, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and ex-deputy chairman of the Shrirampur municipal council Sanjay Chhallare also switched sides. Murkute, who heads the Ashok Cooperative Sugar Factory and was a district bank director, said he would now work following Bal Thackeray's ideology.

Just days earlier, senior Congress leader and former minister Siddharam Mhetre joined Sena in Solapur. Mhetre, who holds sway in the Lingayat-dominated Akkalkot area, cited the need for development funds for irrigation projects as a reason for switching sides.

Earlier in March, a former Congress leader from Pune’s Kasba constituency also joined Shinde's Sena, months after his defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Shinde said the entry of these leaders has bolstered the party’s grassroots strength ahead of the civic elections expected later this year.