MUMBAI: In a significant political development, hundreds of leaders and workers from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have joined Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction. The defections were formalized during a grand event at Muktagiri, where prominent leaders from districts like Washim, Karanja, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Akola, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan pledged allegiance to Shinde’s camp.

The move, orchestrated under the leadership of MLA Bhavana Gawli, saw key opposition leaders embracing Shiv Sena’s ideology. Among the notable defectors were Sena (UBT) Akola District Chief Vijay Malokar, Congress state secretary Dilip Bhojraj, Congress Washim district general secretary Sachin Patil, and Youth Congress City President Praful Gavai.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde welcomed the new members, emphasizing that Shiv Sena stands for 80% social work and 20% politics. He criticized the opposition for blaming EVMs and the Election Commission after their defeat, asserting that the people of Maharashtra had decisively voted for action-oriented leadership.

Shinde also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deflecting blame due to an impending defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. “Rahul Gandhi is rattled because he sees an impending defeat in Delhi. Instead of accepting the people’s mandate with humility, he is making baseless allegations. Maharashtra’s voters have responded decisively by wiping out the opposition and ensuring a landslide for Mahayuti.”

Shinde stated that the defections were a result of people’s desire for action-oriented leadership. He criticized Rahul Gandhi for making baseless allegations and emphasized that Shiv Sena’s focus on social work and politics resonated with voters. Shinde also emphasized that the results reflect the people’s demand for action-oriented leadership, saying, “Shiv Sena stands for 80% social work and 20% politics. The people have rejected leaders who rely on accusations and rhetoric. Instead, they have chosen those who deliver real work. Some opposition leaders, after losing, conveniently blame EVMs, the Election Commission.”