New Delhi: Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Babanrao Gholap dealt a blow to the Uddhav Thackeray camp ahead of the Lok Sabha elections by joining the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday. Gholap was welcomed in the party by Shinde in the presence of state minister Dada Bhuse and Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe. Gholap, a five-time MLA from Nashik district, joining the Shinde camp may boost the party's prospects in north Maharashtra.
Former MLA Sanjay Pawar also joined the Shinde-led Sena.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde took a jibe at UBT Shiv Sena, saying, "Lakhs of people are supporting us just because of Balasaheb’s ideology, they (UBT Shiv Sena) need to do self-reflection".
Will Do Justice To Whatever Post I Am Given: Gholap
Former Maharashtra minister Babanrao Gholap further said, "When I asked the Uddhav Thackeray-led party why I was dismissed. He did not respond, so I decided to join Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde has responded positively, and I will do justice to whatever post I am given."
There is talk in the political circles of Maharashtra that Babanrao Gholap was angry with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership for some time. It is being said that he was expecting the candidature of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena from the Shirdi Lok Sabha seat, but the party has made Bhausaheb Wakchore its candidate for this seat.