Shiv Sena expels 26 rebels in BMC polls
Mumbai: Taking serious note of widespread rebellion, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has expelled 26 party activists, who have rebelled against the party’s official candidates ahead of the Brihanmumbai municipal corporation (BMC) polls. They include several senior leaders like deputy leaders, present and former corporators. The party has taken action against them for rebelling against party’s official candidates. Some of the expelled activists were party’s key officials in their respective areas. They include deputy leader Dashrath Shirke, his wife and former corporator Shubhangi Shirke and former vibhagpramukh Sudhir More. His sister-in-law Snehal More has thrown a challenge to Sena’s official candidate Bharati Bavdhane in Ghatkopar (ward no 123). The party has also sacked former vibhagpramukh Mahesh Sawant, who is contesting against party’s official candidate Samadhan Sarvankar, son of MLA Sada Sarvankar from Prabhadevi (ward no 194).
“We wanted to send a strong message that nobody is above the party. These people were persuaded to withdraw nominations till the last day, but they defied party directives,” said a senior Sena official.
Mr More vowed that his sister-in-law will emerge victorious. “If given an opportunity in future, I will return to Shiv Sena only. I do not have any grudges against our party chief. But the second rung leaders have cheated the party and its activists,” he said.
The other prominent leaders which have been expelled include corporator Manju Kumre, former corporator Mohan Lokegaonkar and others like Sunil More, Amol Naik and others.