Latest news with #Dhangekar
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ahead of Pune civic polls, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena eyeing leaders from other parties
Uncertain about any pre-poll alliance for the upcoming civic elections, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is going all out to make its presence felt in Pune city, where it has lost its sheen over the past few years, with only one of the 10 former corporators of the undivided party joining the Maharashtra deputy chief minister's faction. After the Shiv Sena split led to the distribution of workers between the Shinde-led party and the Shiv Sena (UBT) of Uddhav Thackeray three years ago, all the former corporators except for Nana Bhangire preferred to continue with Thackeray. A few of the nine leaders later joined the BJP, instead of any of the two Senas. Also, the Shinde-led Sena struggled to make its presence felt in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Sena first roped in former Congress legislator Ravindra Dhangekar with the responsibility of reviving the party in Pune city. 'We will induct leaders and workers from other political parties soon. The Shiv Sena's strength will increase in the city with a focus on preparing to contest civic polls independently,' said Sena leader Dhangekar, adding that it was not known whether there would be a pre-poll alliance with Mahayuti partners, the BJP and the NCP, before the civic elections. The Shiv Sena is all set to induct Congress leader Sonali Marne and other potential candidates for civic polls from other parties. 'I have decided to join the Shiv Sena as the Congress is not fulfilling its responsibility. The Congress is no more active,' said Marne. Dhangekar said there would soon be a party rally in the city, where Eknath Shinde would induct Marne and other leaders. Earlier, the Shiv Sena (UBT) inducted former MNS leader Vasant More to revive the party in Pune. The Opposition party has recently held protest rallies in the city against the ruling Mahayuti. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Weakened Sena rests hope in Dhangekar to boost prospects in city
Pune: Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is looking to strengthen its position in Pune city and the district ahead of civic polls by appointing former Congressman and ex-MLA Ravindra Dhangekar as the party chief in Pune. Dhangekar won the Kasba Peth bypoll in 2023 on a Congress ticket. He was also its Lok Sabha candidate in Pune but lost to BJP 's Murlidhar Mohol. He then contested the Kasba Peth assembly seat in the 2024 assembly poll, but was defeated by BJP's Hemant Rasne. He then quit Congress and joined Shiv Sena. Dhangekar said he will try his best to ensure the party's growth in Pune. "After the assembly elections, the situation is favourable for Shiv Sena, and we are hoping to perform well in the upcoming civic polls," he added. Among Mahayuti partners, BJP has gained much ground over the last ten years and Ajit Pawar-led NCP has managed to get many corporators on its side following the split in the party. But, Shinde's Shiv Sena has not gained much strength in Pune. In the last PMC election, the undivided Shiv Sena won 10 seats, but most of its corporators preferred to stay with Uddhav Thackeray after the split. Recently, five of them joined BJP. The Shinde faction hopes that Dhangekar will garner some support from the core city area. "He has a good network in Kasba Peth and surrounding areas which will help Shiv Sena get votes in the civic poll. However, the area under Dhangekar's influence is dominated by the BJP and hence attracting voters to Shiv Sena is a challenge," a senior BJP member told TOI.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Dhangekar appointed as Shiv Sena Pune Metropolitan head
Former MLA from Kasba Peth Ravindra Dhangekar has been appointed as the head of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Pune Metropolitan area on Tuesday, while Nana Bhangire continues to be president of the city unit. Dhangekar was MLA from the Congress party and contested the Lok Sabha election against MP Murlidhar Mohol of the BJP. After defeat in the Lok Sabha election, he left the Congress party and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. As Shiv Sena appointed Dhangekar as head of the Metropolitan area, there are chances to have conflicts between Shiv Sena and the BJP. In his whole career, Dhangekar has made serious allegations against BJP leaders and now he has become a part of Maha Yuti.
