the BJP Saturday inducted former Congress corporator Abhijit Shivarkar, who is also the son of former Congress minister Balasaheb Shivarkar, into the party fold ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections (File Photo)
After poaching NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, the BJP Saturday inducted former Congress corporator Abhijit Shivarkar, who is also the son of former Congress minister Balasaheb Shivarkar, into the party fold ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. Former deputy mayor and NCP corporator Dilip Barate also joined the saffron party at the same event.
Abhijit Shivarkar is active in the Wanowrie area, while Dilip Barate has represented the Warje area in the civic body in the past. “The Shivarkar family was committed to the Congress for years and will now be committed to the BJP,” said Abhijit Shivarkar.
Abhijit Shivarkar is reportedly keen on contesting the civic polls, while Bhushan Barate, nephew of Dilip Barate, is also likely to contest the election on a BJP ticket.
Dilip Barate said he worked under the leadership of Sharad Pawar for 40 years and then joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. “Now, I will be active in the BJP and hope to stand by my nephew in his growth in the BJP,” he said, adding that he had worked with the Patit Pavan Sanghatana and the Hindu Mahasabha in the past.
Last week, the BJP inducted two former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators Prithviraj Sutar and Sanjay Bhosale. Likewise, former NCP (SP) corporators Sachin Dodke, Sayali Wanjale, Vikas Dangat, Bala Dhankawade and Rohini Chinte also joined the BJP. Sayali Wanjale is the daughter of former MNS legislator Ramesh Wanjale.
Also, Surendra Pathare, son of the sitting NCP (SP) legislator Bapu Pathare, was inducted into the BJP.
NCP leader Narayan Galande; Gana Chavan, son of former NCP MP Vasantrao Chavan; Khandu Satish Londhe, son of the late former Congress corporator Satish Londhe, and a few more were also absorbed into the BJP in the run-up to the polls.