Mumbai, January 11 (HS): Former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Dagdu Sakpal joined the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday, dealing a significant setback to Uddhav Thackeray’s party in South Mumbai.

Sakpal, who had been active in the Shiv Sena (UBT) for several decades, is known to have a strong hold in areas such as Lalbaug and Parel in South Mumbai. He was reportedly upset after his request for a party ticket for his daughter was turned down. Following his dissatisfaction, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held discussions with Sakpal, after which he decided to switch sides and formally joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Welcoming Sakpal into the party, Shinde said that Dagdu Sakpal is a senior and loyal Shiv Sena worker who has made a major contribution to strengthening and establishing the party in Mumbai, especially in South Mumbai. He said Sakpal’s induction would add significant strength to the party and remarked that the Shiv Sena had received the blessings of Lalbaug and Mumbai with his joining.

Speaking on the occasion, Sakpal said that leaving a party to which he had devoted his entire life was extremely painful and that he had taken the decision with a heavy heart.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar