Former Kalamnuri MLA Santosh Tarfe joins Shinde's Shiv Sena, a blow to Thackeray camp in Hingoli

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has suffered a setback in Hingoli district. Former Kalamnuri MLA Dr Santosh Tarfe joined the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday. Several district-level leaders and hundreds of party workers came with him.

Tarfe's induction took place in the presence of Shinde and Kalamnuri's sitting MLA Santosh Bangar. The move comes ahead of the coming local self-government elections and is expected to have an impact on politics in Hingoli district.

Also joining the Shiv Sena with Tarfe were the Thackeray faction's Hingoli district chief Gopu Patil, former zilla parishad president Ganaji Bele and former municipal council president Nandkishore Toshniwal. Former zilla parishad members, former sarpanches, gram panchayat members, shakha pramukhs, senior office-bearers and hundreds of workers also joined.

Welcoming the new entrants, Shinde said the Shiv Sena, which follows the ideas of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, is committed to the development of ordinary people and society. Referring to Tarfe's links with the tribal community, he said his arrival would create opportunities to step up development work for that community.

Shinde said, "You have come into the Shiv Sena that follows Balasaheb's ideology. Work for society and work for the Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena will always stand with you for your development work and social upliftment. We will see to it that you do not lack help." He told the new leaders and workers to focus on the development of society as well as on strengthening the party organisation.

Referring to development work done in Hingoli district, Shinde said considerable funds had been made available earlier through MLA Santosh Bangar. He assured the new entrants that the government would continue to support stalled development projects, improvements in infrastructure and initiatives for the welfare of the tribal community. The Deputy Chief Minister said the government would provide the necessary assistance so that development work in the area continues.

Shinde also said a large public meeting should be held in Hingoli soon and that he would attend it himself. He congratulated the new entrants and wished them well in their political journey.

The arrival of Tarfe, Patil and several other district-level leaders is seen as a significant organisational gain for Shinde's Shiv Sena in Hingoli. Parties step up efforts to consolidate grassroots support ahead of local elections, which is why the development is seen as important. The entry of former MLAs, local representatives and workers could strengthen the Shiv Sena's position in the district, while posing a challenge to the Thackeray faction's organisation.

MLA Santosh Bangar, MLA Kishor Appa Patil, Shiv Sena secretary Ram Repale and Satara district contact chief Sharad Kanse were present at the event. Senior office-bearers and a large number of workers also arrived from Hingoli. Welcoming the induction, the party said it was an opportunity to expand the organisation in the district and strengthen the grassroots network ahead of the coming elections.