In a significant political development in Pune, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expanded its local ranks by inducting two former corporators from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). This move comes just days after a similar event in Mumbai, signaling an aggressive push by the party ahead of the upcoming civic elections.
Key Leaders Cross Over to BJP
On Tuesday, the BJP formally welcomed Prithviraj Sutar and Sanjay Bhosale into its fold at an event attended by senior party figures. The joining ceremony was held in the presence of Pune's Member of Parliament, Murlidhar Mohol, Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, and the president of the party's city unit, Dheeraj Ghate.
Prithviraj Sutar is a notable figure, being the son of senior Shiv Sena leader and former state cabinet minister, Shashikant Sutar. He previously served as the head of the Shiv Sena group in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) during the last term. His entry is seen as a strategic gain for the BJP, expected to bolster the party's support in parts of the Kothrud area.
Sanjay Bhosale, the other leader who switched sides, is a former corporator from the Yerawada region. He was among three Shiv Sena corporators elected from this area in the 2017 civic polls. His induction is aimed at expanding the BJP's footprint in Yerawada.
Political Motivations and Statements
Addressing the gathering, MP Murlidhar Mohol stated that leaders from other parties are aligning with the BJP because they recognize the development work undertaken by both the state and central governments for Pune. He emphasized that the triple-engine government—a reference to BJP rule at the municipal, state, and central levels—would accelerate the city's growth.
Sanjay Bhosale, explaining his decision, expressed his commitment to continue serving the public as a BJP member. He highlighted his team's past role in building the Shiv Sena's presence in Yerawada and claimed continued public support for his work. Bhosale also cited inconclusive seat-sharing talks between the Congress and other parties for the PMC polls, which he said was causing unrest among his supporters, as a factor in his move.
Consolidation Before Nomination Deadline
This event marks the second such gathering organized by the BJP in a short span. Just three days prior, on Saturday, several former corporators from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—the Ajit Pawar group and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP)—joined the BJP at a function in Mumbai.
Sources within the BJP indicate that more political figures from rival parties are likely to join before the December 30 deadline for filing nominations for the civic elections. This series of inductions appears to be a calculated strategy to consolidate the party's position and weaken opposition structures at the local level.
The entry of Prithviraj Sutar is particularly strategic. There was earlier speculation that he might join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction. His direct shift to the BJP underscores the party's growing appeal and its focused efforts to secure a dominant position in Pune's political landscape ahead of the crucial municipal polls.
