Mumbai Politics: Former Sena UBT Councillor Tejasvee Ghosalkar Joins BJP Ahead of BMC Elections, A Major Setback for Uddhav Thackeray

In a significant political development ahead of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, former Shiv Sena UBT councillor Tejasvee Ghosalkar has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The induction took place in the presence of Mumbai BJP Chief Amit Satam, marking a major setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena UBT.

Tejasvee, a member of the influential Ghosalkar family from Dahisar, had been increasingly dissatisfied with her party for some time. Her resignation from Shiv Sena UBT earlier was met with attempts by Thackeray to reconcile, but the efforts failed. This move comes amidst speculation about her political alignment after her appointment as director in a BJP-controlled bank, which had already raised questions about her loyalty to Shiv Sena.

Personal Tragedy and Political Ties

Tejasvee’s decision to switch parties comes after a period of personal turmoil. Last year, her husband, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was tragically shot dead during a Facebook Live session, a case that attracted widespread attention. Her father-in-law, Vinod Ghosalkar, who is considered a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray and a key political figure in Dahisar, was visibly emotional over her departure from Shiv Sena UBT. Vinod Ghosalkar, a former MLA, has historically been a significant face of Shiv Sena in the area, and his influence had previously been leveraged by Thackeray in assembly elections, though he had lost.

Political Implications Ahead of BMC Elections

Tejasvee’s exit is seen as a major blow to Shiv Sena UBT, especially as Uddhav Thackeray plans to contest the upcoming BMC elections in alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS to challenge the Maha-Alliance. Political analysts suggest that her move to BJP could sway a considerable voter base in Dahisar and surrounding areas, complicating Thackeray’s campaign strategy.

This development adds another twist to the intensifying political contest in Mumbai, highlighting the volatility and high stakes ahead of the municipal elections.