In a significant political development ahead of the crucial municipal corporation elections, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) has been dealt a severe blow in the Thane district. The party's Kalyan district president and a prominent four-time corporator from Ulhasnagar, Dhananjay Bodare, quit the party and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday.
High-Profile Defection Shakes Political Landscape
The induction ceremony, which took place in the presence of BJP's state president Ravindra Chavan, marks a critical moment as election preparations gain momentum across the state. Bodare is widely regarded as an influential leader whose reach extends beyond Ulhasnagar to the broader Kalyan region. His departure is seen as a serious organizational setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT), especially since he was entrusted with key responsibilities for planning and executing the party's strategy for the upcoming civic polls.
Bodare did not defect alone. He was accompanied by four other former corporators who also switched their allegiance to the BJP. The group includes his wife and sister-in-law, both of whom were former corporators representing the Shiv Sena (UBT). Additionally, senior leader Rajesh Wankhede and Nana Birade, a corporator from the Team Omie Kalani (TOK) group, joined the BJP fold. This collective entry is anticipated to substantially bolster the BJP's ground-level presence and electoral prospects in Ulhasnagar.
Profiles of the Defectors and Lingering Controversy
Dhananjay Bodare is known in political circles as an educated and experienced corporator. However, his move to the BJP comes with a cloud of controversy. In September of this year, he was named in a case related to the alleged abetment of suicide of a local social activist, Sarita Khanchandani. The police registered a case against him based on allegations mentioned in the deceased's suicide note. This backdrop has added a layer of political intrigue to his induction into the ruling party.
The other prominent figure in this group, Rajesh Wankhede, is a strong three-time corporator. He contested the Assembly elections from Ambernath last year on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket and managed to secure nearly 60,000 votes, a clear indicator of his individual political clout and influence in the region. His shift is another significant loss for Thackeray's camp.
Implications for Upcoming Civic Polls and Party Morale
The timing of these defections could not be more critical, with all political parties in the final stages of preparation for the municipal elections. The exit of senior leaders who were central to the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s election planning in Ulhasnagar and Kalyan has reportedly created a sense of disappointment and uncertainty among the party's local cadre and workers.
Commenting on the developments, BJP MLA Kumar Ailani expressed strong confidence, telling media that it is now certain the BJP will secure the mayor's position in the forthcoming Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections. This statement underscores the perceived impact of these inductions.
The political churn in Ulhasnagar is expected to drastically alter existing equations. The defection of a sitting district president and several experienced corporators just before the polls is a major setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT), potentially weakening its campaign structure. Conversely, the BJP has successfully managed to strengthen its local leadership bench, integrating leaders with deep community connections and electoral experience. This move sets the stage for a highly competitive and closely watched civic election in the industrial belt of Thane district.
