Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 4: In a setback to the Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, former Mumbai mayor Shubha Raul on Sunday resigned from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Raul joined the BJP in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Her defection comes on the same day Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray jointly released their alliance manifesto for the upcoming civic polls, adding to the political significance of the move.
Political observers view Raul’s exit as a blow to the Thackeray camp at a crucial juncture, with elections just days away.
Polling for the BMC, along with elections to 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, is scheduled to be held on January 15.