Major jolt to MNS in Kalyan-Dombivli as 2 former corporators join Shiv Sena

KALYAN: In a significant setback to the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the twin cities of Kalyan-Dombivli, two former corporators of the party, along with a former NCP (SP) corporator, joined the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) on Monday. The induction took place in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Member of Parliament Dr Shrikant Shinde. Among those who switched sides were ex-corporators Rajan Marathe and his wife Jyoti Marathe. Both ex-corporators were considered prominent faces of the MNS in the region. The Marathe family is also known to have close ties with former MNS MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil. In addition, former NCP (SP) corporator Babaji Patil from Kalyan Gramin, along with his supporters, also formally joined the Shiv Sena. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed the leaders and workers into the party fold.

Eknath Shinde said, “Over the last few years, extensive development work took place in Kalyan-Dombivli. Witnessing this progress, several corporators and activists are joining our party.

Our vision is to ensure all-round development of Maharashtra, with special focus on Thane district and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The relentless efforts of MP Shrikant Shinde have been widely appreciated, and this has inspired many to come forward and strengthen our party,” Shinde said.

After two MNS corporators quit the party, MNS leader and former MLA Raju Patil lashed out at the Shinde, branding them as traitors and alleging that they are luring other traitors with money to join their party.

The entry of these leaders ahead of the upcoming Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections is expected to boost Shiv Sena’s organisational strength in Kalyan-Dombivli, while delivering a blow to MNS, who has performed well with 27 corporators winning in 2010 and 10 corporators in 2015 in KDMC elections.