Speculations about Shishir Shinde switching parties have been in the air since the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader met with the Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at a wedding last month. A month after their meet, Shinde joined Shiv Sena on the occasion of the 52nd Foundation Day Anniversary on June 19.
Shinde had started his political career with Shiv Sena and has been a staunch supporter of MNS. He had not held any post in MNS for more than a year. MNS functionaries say that he and MNS chief Raj Thackeray had a mutual disagreement in 2017.
The 64-year-old politician got a popularity boost in 1991 when he and members of Shiv Sena allegedly vandalised Wankhede Stadium to disrupt a match between India and Pakistan. Shinde was elected as an MLA in 2009 but was suspended before taking oath as a member.
With leaders like Vasant Geete, Ram Kadam and Praveen Darekar dropping out, MNS is on a bad note. Now that it has now lost Shinde to Shiv Sena, it is a major setback for the already sinking party.
In an emotional speech by Shinde on the Foundation Day ceremony, the politician appealed to all Shiv Sainiks to focus on the forthcoming elections. He apologised for his impolite behaviour with Sena and was hopeful about its victory in the elections.
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