In a significant political realignment ahead of crucial municipal elections, senior Congress leader and former deputy mayor of Pune, Aba Bagul, officially joined the Shiv Sena on Saturday. The switch, executed in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane, has sent shockwaves through the Congress party's city unit.
A Seasoned Leader Changes Allegiance
The event saw Aba Bagul, along with several family members and political supporters, formally inducted into the Shiv Sena fold. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde personally welcomed the veteran politician, lauding his extensive experience and his long-standing work for the welfare of common citizens. Shinde emphasized that Bagul's deep understanding of Pune's civic challenges, gained over three decades in city politics and various roles within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), would be a major asset for the party in addressing urban issues.
Bagul's departure marks a substantial loss for the Congress, a party to which he was known for his loyalty. His move is seen as a calculated blow to the grand old party's prospects in the upcoming civic body polls.
Frustration with Congress Leadership
Explaining his decision, Aba Bagul expressed disappointment with the Congress party's failure to provide adequate recognition and opportunities to its dedicated workers. He revealed that Deputy CM Shinde had appreciated his vision for a slum-free city and encouraged him to draft a comprehensive development plan for Pune.
The immediate political goal, according to Bagul, is to contest the forthcoming civic polls at full strength under Eknath Shinde's leadership. Preparations have already begun, and discussions are ongoing with alliance partner BJP regarding seat-sharing for the elections.
Background of the Defection
Sources within the Congress party indicated that Bagul's disillusionment had been brewing for some time. He was reportedly unhappy after being denied a party ticket for both the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra assembly elections held last year. A Congress source also noted that Bagul had not been attending the party's internal meetings for approximately a year before making the final decision to switch sides.
While Bagul had previously explored options by meeting with BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he had chosen to remain with Congress at that time. His political strength is notably rooted in the Parvati assembly constituency, where he once contested state elections as an Independent candidate and maintains a solid voter base.
Supporters of Bagul argue that the Congress leadership repeatedly failed to give a fair chance to loyalists, a pattern of neglect that ultimately pushed him to seek an alternative political home. Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde took the opportunity to critique the Congress, stating that the party has not recovered from its massive defeat in the recent assembly polls and that genuine workers no longer feel respected within its ranks, leading them to join either Shiv Sena or BJP.
