Mumbai Politics: Tejasvee Ghosalkar Joins BJP, Major Setback for Uddhav Thackeray Ahead of BMC Polls

In a significant political development ahead of the much-anticipated Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has suffered a major setback with former corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tejasvee Ghosalkar formally entered the BJP on Monday in the presence of Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam. Her induction comes at a politically sensitive time, as opposition parties intensify preparations for the crucial BMC elections, considered the crown jewel of Mumbai’s political landscape.

Ghosalkar, a former BMC corporator, hails from the influential Ghosalkar family of Dahisar and is the daughter-in-law of senior Shiv Sena leader Vinod Ghosalkar, a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray. Her defection is being seen as a serious blow to Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly in the Dahisar belt, where the Ghosalkar family commands considerable influence.

Sources indicate that Tejasvee Ghosalkar had been unhappy within the party for some time. Although she had earlier resigned from Shiv Sena (UBT), senior leadership, including Uddhav Thackeray, had attempted to persuade her to stay. However, questions resurfaced about her continued association with the party after she was appointed as a director in a bank reportedly under the control of BJP leaders. Eventually, she chose to sever ties with Shiv Sena (UBT) and formally align with the BJP.

Her political journey has been marked by personal tragedy as well. In February last year, her husband, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was shot dead during a Facebook Live session, an incident that sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and triggered widespread outrage.

Reacting emotionally to his daughter-in-law’s decision, Vinod Ghosalkar was seen breaking down on camera. A prominent Shiv Sena face in Dahisar, Vinod Ghosalkar had contested the last Assembly elections on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket but was defeated.

Tejasvee Ghosalkar’s move comes at a time when Uddhav Thackeray is working on a strategy to challenge the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the BMC elections, reportedly exploring a possible tie-up with his cousin Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

With the battle for Mumbai’s civic body heating up, Tejasvee Ghosalkar’s switch to the BJP is likely to have significant political ramifications in the run-up to the BMC polls.