• Source:JND
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In a major setback to Uddhav Thackeray faction, former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Babanrao Gholap joined Ekanth Shind's Shiv Sena on Saturday. Several leaders from different political parties have been switching parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Recently, Bollywood star Govinda also joined Shinde's party.

Meanwhile, Gholap joined the party in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, State Minister Dada Bhuse and Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe. After joining the party, Gholap said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) had done injustice to him.

"UBT Shiv Sena has done injustice to me, they removed me from the party post and when I asked them why, I was sacked. They didn't reply so I decided to join Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde has given a positive reply, and whatever post is given to me, I will do justice to it," he said.

Lok Sabha Polls In Maharashtra

The Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 19 and the results will be announced on June 4. The elections will be held in seven phases across the country. Maharashtra will go to polls in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20.

The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics.

Lok Sabha Polls: Eknath Shinde's Son To Fight From Kalyan

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday that CM Eknath Shinde's son and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde will contest from Kalyan in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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The Deputy CM dismissed the speculations of a dispute in the Mahayuti alliance and said that Shrikant Shinde is the candidate of Mahayuti from Kalyan.

Mahayuti is an alliance of the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra.

(With inputs from agency)