Pune: Former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar Resigns From Party, Set To Join Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena (VIDEO)

Former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar on Monday said he has resigned from the party and will join Deputy Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Talking to the media, Dhangekar said, "Taking such a decision is always difficult as I have been with the Congress for the last 10-12 years. During this time, I have built relations with the party workers and leaders. They have supported me while I contested the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. Although I lost the elections, their support was invaluable. Hence, I do feel sad while leaving the party."

"While taking the decision, I spoke to my workers and voters. There was one common consensus - you need to be in power to get things done. During this time, I met Eknath Shinde. I was also talking to my friend Uday Samant. They repeatedly urged me to join their party. Also, when I was an MLA, Shinde Saheb helped me a lot to get things done for my constituency," he added.

Speculations about Dhangekar's entry into Shiv Sena were rife for about a month. However, he had rubbished the rumours stating, "I am a Congress supporter and will always be one. There is no plan to change the party and join Shinde Sena in the future. I am refuting all the speculation among the public."

The speculations had begun after Dhangekar posted a photo of himself wearing a saffron scarf. Reacting to this, Maharashtra Minister of Industries and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant made a statement and said he had already invited the former Kasba Peth MLA to join the party. "I saw his WhatsApp status where he was wearing a saffron scarf. I told him that if the bow and arrow (Shiv Sena's symbol) appeared on it, we would be happy. I personally invited him because if a grassroots leader like him wants to work powerfully in social service, there is no better option than Eknath Shinde," he added.

Samant had also met Dhangekar earlier for the birthday celebration of the latter's son. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the minister wrote, "Celebrated the birthday of former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar's son Pranav Dhangekar and gave him my best wishes."

Reportedly, Dhangekar had also met Shinde in Mumbai. However, he later clarified that the meeting was purely for personal work. "I met Eknath Shinde regarding my personal work. After explaining my issue, he assured me that it would be resolved. Since my work was pending with him, I had to meet him," Dhangekar had stated.