Senior leader Manoj Rane on the way to Shiv Sena along with hundreds of workers

In Brief

Major setback for BJP before municipal elections

Manoj Rane, state secretary of BJP Workers' Front in Mira-Bhayandar, along with hundreds of workers, bids farewell to the party and joins Shiv Sena

BJP faces increased challenges in the backdrop of local self-government elections.

BJP has faced a major setback before the upcoming municipal elections in the state. Manoj Rane, state secretary of BJP Workers' Front in Mira-Bhayandar, has bid farewell to the party along with hundreds of workers and joined Shiv Sena. This decision by Manoj Rane, known as a staunch supporter of Minister Nitesh Rane, has increased BJP's challenges in the backdrop of local self-government elections.

Local self-government elections are scheduled to be held in the state in the coming months, and election activities have gained momentum. The reservation for the posts of District Council President, Vice President, and Panchayat Committee Chairman has just been announced. This defection is considered significant at such a time.

Manoj Rane joined the party in the presence of Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik. On this occasion, he commented, "We have joined Shiv Sena with a development agenda and will remain active in organizational work under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Pratap Sarnaik, and Nilesh Rane." It is claimed that Manoj Rane's entry will strengthen Shiv Sena in Mira-Bhayandar.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of the grand alliance are making it clear that the local self-government elections will be contested in the name of the grand alliance. Nevertheless, party switching continues. On the other hand, the exact equation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi is still not clear, and discussions about an alliance between Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) and MNS are ongoing. Therefore, the upcoming elections are likely to be even more exciting.