Maharashtra polls: Former two-time MLA Rupesh Mhatre leaves UBT, joins Shiv Sena in Bhiwandi

BHIWANDI: Before the assembly elections, former two-time Shiv Sena MLA Rupesh Mhatre from Bhiwandi left the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena with his supporters and joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Saturday.

Mhatre was upset because the Bhiwandi East seat was given to the Samajwadi Party in the seat distribution of Maha Vikas Aghadi, from where sitting MLA Rais Sheikh is contesting.

When Shiv Sena split into two parts, most people joined Shinde, but Mhatre did not leave Uddhav Thackeray.
Mhatre's joining Shiv Sena is expected to benefit the Shiv Sena candidate Santosh Shetty on this seat against Sheikh.