After 24-hour scare, missing Sena corporator Sarita Mhaske returns, says 'will always be with Uddhav Thackeray'

Sarita Mhaske

• Sarita Mhaske reappeared after a day, dismissing rumors of switching parties
• She reaffirmed loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)
• Mhaske will meet Thackeray and complete formal registration with UBT faction

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After being out of contact for nearly a day, Sarita Mhaske, a corporator aligned with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), resurfaced on Thursday along with her husband, putting an end to intense political speculation.

Her sudden unreachability had fuelled chatter about a possible switch to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, especially given her earlier association with MLA Dilip Lande.

Mhaske firmly dismissed those rumours, calling them a case of confusion rather than intent. Speaking to India Today, she categorically stated, "I was, am and will always remain with Uddhav Thackeray." Her statement was aimed at quelling doubts within party circles amid Maharashtra’s ongoing climate of defections and shifting loyalties.

The episode had triggered a flurry of activity within the UBT camp. Senior leader and MLC Milind Narvekar, considered a close confidant of Uddhav Thackeray, took charge of tracing Mhaske and her husband.

His efforts, aided by his long-standing personal rapport with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, were seen as key to resolving the situation without further escalation. Party insiders described Narvekar’s role as instrumental in ensuring the couple’s return.

While the exact details of where Mhaske was during the 24-hour period remain unclear, sources said that after being located, she and her husband were accommodated overnight at Narvekar’s residence as a precautionary measure.

The couple is now set to visit Matoshree, Thackeray’s residence, where Mhaske is expected to meet the party chief. Following that meeting, she will complete the formal registration process reaffirming her position within the UBT faction at the Konkan Bhavan office in Belapur.

Mhaske represents ward number 157 in the Chandivali area of eastern Mumbai. She secured a decisive victory in the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, defeating BJP candidate Asha Tayade by a margin of 14,749 votes in what was considered a closely watched contest.

The BMC election results marked a major political shift in Mumbai. The BJP and Shinde Sena alliance brought an end to nearly 30 years of Thackeray dominance in the civic body, securing a combined 118 of the 227 seats.

The BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats, while the Shinde-led Sena won 29. The Uddhav Thackeray faction managed 65 seats, and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena claimed six.

In the immediate aftermath of the results, the Shinde Sena moved its corporators to a Bandra hotel amid concerns over possible poaching, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the post-election period.