A man with an extensive criminal record switched political parties twice within eight days before finally securing a ticket for the Thane Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra, according to News18.
Mayur Shinde, filed his nomination papers on December 30, the final day for submissions, as a nominee of Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His candidature, however, has sparked resentment among long-time party workers in Thane, who allege they were overlooked in favour of an outsider, according to an NDTV report.
Shinde was associated with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena until December 22. The very next day, he joined the BJP in the presence of state party president Ravindra Chavan, reportedly hoping to secure a ticket from the party for Savarkar Nagar (Ward No. 14), according to News18.
After failing to get the BJP nomination, Shinde switched sides again at the last moment, joining Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which eventually fielded him as its candidate.
The development has drawn attention due to Shinde’s criminal background. He faces serious charges, including murder, attempt to murder and extortion, and has previously been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). He had earlier made headlines after being arrested for allegedly threatening Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
This is not Shinde’s first attempt to enter electoral politics. In 2017, he had sought a ticket from the then undivided Shiv Sena, but was denied.
The episode has once again raised questions about candidate selection, criminalisation of politics and last-minute party hopping in Maharashtra’s high-stakes civic elections.
Elections to the 131-member Thane Municipal Corporation will be held on January 15. The BJP is fighting 40 seats, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is contesting 87 seats. Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have formed an alliance in Thane, while the Congress and Ajit Pawar’s NCP are contesting all 131 seats independently.
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