MUMBAI: Shiv Sena inducted a few Gujarati leaders from political parties, including the BJP, on Thursday, indicating that for the first time in 50 years, it is wooing the community with an eye on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections in February. Party sources said many more such leaders will join the Shiv Sena soon.
“Gujarati speaking Mumbaikars who joined the Shiv Sena is diverse, ranging from 30 to 75 of age, education from school to MBAs, workers from parties such as the Congress, NCP, BJP and BSP. They represent cross-sections of society caste-wise—jewellers, potters, stationers, garment manufactures, artists and writers,” said Harshal Pradhan, publicity advisor to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.
“It was clear bifurcation in those days when the Shiv Sena decided to join hands with the BJP. We concentrated on Marathi voters while the BJP struggled to win over Gujarati and Hindi voters from the Congress,” said Shiv Sena leader and state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam.
The BJP downplayed the induction of Gujarati leaders . “None of them is a prominent leader,” said state Minister for Housing Prakash Mehta, a Gujarati face of the BJP in Mumbai who represents Ghatkopar, a predominantly Gujarati suburb, for the sixth term in a row.