In a major setback to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), its lone MLA from Junnar constituency in Pune joined Shiv Sena on March 11, a day after Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections.
MNS MLA Sharad Sonawane was the only MLA who joined Shiv Sena in the presence of Uddhav Thackeray. There were, a few days ago, strong speculations of Sonawane shifting the party and also met Thackeray earlier to inform MNS chief Raj Thackeray regarding the same.
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According to sources, Sonawane left MNS due to his disappointment with the party’s working. The MLA had joined MNS before 2014 general assembly elections, after leaving Shiv Sena. His re-entry in Shiv Sena might be beneficial to gain LS seat in Pune.