Once arrested for abusing Shinde, former Mumbai mayor from Uddhav faction joins Dy CM's Sena

Mumbai: Former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Datta Dalvi joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena more than a year after he was arrested for using abusive language against him.

In 2023, Dalvi was arrested by Mumbai police for using "abusive language" against Shinde. He was later released on bail.

Dalvi, incidentally hails from Vikhroli, which is represented in the Maharashtra assembly by Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.

Apart from Dalvi, several Sena (UBT) functionaries from Mumbai, including from frontal organisations, joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the development coming ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

Shinde said 40-50 former corporators of Sena (UBT) have returned to "original Shiv Sena". The Deputy Chief Minister said so far 70 former corporators from Mumbai have joined the Shiv Sena.

Shinde, who is also the chief leader of Shiv Sena, said the next target is to secure local bodies in the state.

Functionaries from Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) from Jalgaon too joined the Sena.