Mumbai: Dy CM Eknath Shinde has called for a meeting of all Shiv Sena MPs, legislators and office-bearers from the city on Tuesday. The BMC election is expected later this year.
This is the first big meeting of office-bearers and elected representatives from the city called by Shinde after the assembly poll results and the dissolution of the party units in the city a couple of months ago.
A Shiv Sena functionary said Shinde will address the meeting and focus on the party’s membership drive, strengthening the organisation in the city, and taking on the Shiv Sena (UBT) shakha network. Following the meeting, several new appointments in the Shiv Sena are expected.
The Shiv Sena is seeing an inflow of workers and functionaries from the Shiv Sena (UBT), and it is looking to further weaken its rival in its bastion.
“This is a meeting for strengthening the party organisation ahead of the BMC polls. We have started our membership drive and are also in the process of appointing new office-bearers. Observers have been appointed, and their reports will be scrutinised. All aspects of the party structure in Mumbai will be addressed by Shinde saheb,” Shiv Sena functionary Amey Ghole said.
While the Shiv Sena (UBT) received a drubbing in the assembly polls and only won 20 seats, 10 of those seats were from the city. The Shiv Sena (UBT) winning the prestige seats of Mahim, Worli and Bandra East came as a consolation for the party, which won fewer than half the seats that the Shiv Sena won.
Party functionaries said the Shiv Sena was set to implement significant organisational changes to prepare for the upcoming local body elections across the state. At a meeting earlier, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde stressed the importance of fortifying the party’s organisational structure ahead of the municipal elections.
He emphasised that a strong organisational foundation was essential to ensure a robust performance in the upcoming polls. Shrikant outlined strategies with office-bearers to enhance the electoral approach. He urged them to strengthen the organisation at all levels to take on Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Eknath Shinde, along with all Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs, will also visit Prayagraj on Wednesday to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela. This is the first trip of all Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs together after the party won the assembly polls.
Last week, CM Devendra Fadnavis and his wifem Amruta, took a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. They performed Ganga Aarti too.
Describing Maha Kumbh as a divine and historic event, Fadnavis lauded the Yogi Adityanath-led state govt for its remarkable management of the grand gathering. Fadnavis stressed that the mega event would be etched in world history, congratulating the Yogi govt for its successful organisation and the meticulous arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of devotees.