MNS vs Shiv Sena: Major Setback for MNS as Its Only Former Corporator in Mumbai Joins Shiv Sena

In a significant political development, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has suffered a major blow in Mumbai. Sanjay Turde, the only remaining former MNS corporator in the city, has decided to quit the party and join the Shiv Sena.

Turde, who was elected from the Kalina ward in Mumbai during the previous municipal elections, is set to officially join the Shiv Sena on Monday. Along with him, several MNS office-bearers from the Kalina region are also expected to make the switch, further weakening MNS’s organizational structure in the area.

Who is Sanjay Turde?

During the last Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, seven candidates from Raj Thackeray’s MNS were elected as corporators. These included Dilip Lande, Parmeshwar Kadam, Ashwini Matekar, Dr. Archana Bhalerao, Harshala Mare, Datta Narvankar, and Sanjay Turde. Over the years, the rest either defected to other parties or distanced themselves from active politics. Sanjay Turde had remained loyal to MNS, making him the sole representative of the party in the city until now.

His decision to join the Shiv Sena comes at a time when speculation was rife about a possible political rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins — Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. However, Turde’s departure signals continuing instability within MNS ranks and strengthens Shiv Sena’s hold in Mumbai ahead of the upcoming civic elections.