Mumbai, May 14 (IANS) The Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) on Thursday received a setback after the party’s chief spokesperson and former MP Anand Paranjpe joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.​

It was a “ghar wapsi” for Anand Paranjpe after a 14-year hiatus.​

He was inducted into the party fold in the presence of Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party Leader Shrikant Shinde, along with state ministers Dadaji Bhuse and Uday Samant.​

Anand Paranjpe, who began his career with Shiv Sena, returned to the fold after over a decade with the Nationalist Congress Party, earlier headed by Sharad Pawar and later by the faction led by former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.​

Anand Paranjpe emphasised that he is joining without any expectations of a post, intending to dedicate himself to strengthening the party’s organisational structure.​

Anand Paranjpe’s move comes at a delicate time for Maharashtra’s ruling MahaYuti alliance.​

Having been a prominent face for the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) in Thane, his exit is seen as a setback for the party following reports of discontent over recent Legislative Council nominations.​

By securing Anand Paranjpe, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena further consolidates its stronghold in the Thane-Kalyan belt, a region where Paranjpe holds significant local influence.​

Anand Paranjpe remarked, “Though I was at another party, my DNA remained Shiv Sena.”​

He credited Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s “common man” working style as the primary motivation for his return.​

Anand Paranjpe claimed that he would not criticise the Nationalist Congress Party, saying that during his association, he had fulfilled his duties and worked hard to strengthen the party organisation.​

He reiterated that he has not joined the Shiv Sena with any expectations or while eyeing any posts, saying he will work as a Shiv Sainik and discharge the duties assigned to him by the party and its chief leader, Eknath Shinde.​

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde noted that the party’s strength is growing daily, highlighting that Shiv Sena has recently appointed over one lakh Booth Level Officers to gear up for upcoming organisational challenges.​

He said that Anand Paranjpe will be an asset to the party, considering his strength in organisational work.​

Anand Paranjpe’s political journey is deeply intertwined with the Shinde family.​

He first entered the Lok Sabha representing the Shiv Sena from Thane in 2008 and later from Kalyan in 2009.​

Notably, his 2009 victory was largely orchestrated by Eknath Shinde.​

“The Paranjpe and Shinde families share a deep, long-standing bond. Anand Paranjpe’s organisational skills will be a massive asset as the party expands its reach across the state,” said Shrikant Shinde during the induction.​

This “homecoming” is viewed by analysts as a strategic realignment within the Mahayuti, as the Shinde faction continues to position itself as the primary torchbearer of the “original” Shiv Sena ideology ahead of the next electoral cycle.​

–IANS

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