Sanjay Shirsat claims Chandrahar Patil to join Shiv Sena

 After Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat claimed that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrahar Patil will join the party on June 9, marking another significant defection in the state, Mr. Patil clarified on Wednesday that he has yet to decide on leaving the party. 

On the X, Mr. Patil released an official statement, saying, “I have not taken an official stand regarding my party entry. However, I have received an offer from the Shiv Sena Shinde group to join the party. I am currently out of town and will talk to my colleagues and make the next decision.” If wrestler-turned-politician Chandrahar Patil joins Shiv Sena, then it is likely to be a major setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), as he was the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Sangli district in Maharashtra.

The political leaders and functionaries have started switching parties ahead of Maharashtra’s local polls. On May 28, former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Nirmala Gavit, along with thousands of women workers from Nashik, switched to Shiv Sena, saying, “Our leader has changed, Party remain same”. Shiv Sena on several occasions claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and functionaries are in contact with them in order to join Eknath Shinde’s party. 

On Wednesday, State Minister Sanjay Shirsat said, “Chandrahar Patil and many others will join the party on June 9 and also by the end of this month. Patil joining, stop if you can.” Mr. Shirsat took a potshot at Uddhav Thackeray, saying, “They should mind their party as no one wants to stay with them.”

Published - June 05, 2025 02:19 am IST