Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is strengthening Shiv Sena units in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad ahead of the local body polls.
Sulabha Ubale, who was with Shiv Sena (UBT) from 1992, joined the Shinde Sena on Wednesday. This came only two days after former Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar was inducted into the party.
With the addition of these two leaders, the poll prospects of Shiv Sena have definitely increased in these two cities.
Who is Sulabha Ubale?
Sulabha Ubale is known as a fire-brand leader from Pimpri-Chinchwad. She began her career as a Shiv Sena Shakha Pramukh in 1992. In 1997, she became a corporator. In 1998, she held the position of the Leader of Opposition of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). From 2007 to 2012, she worked as a Shiv Sena group leader and standing committee member.
Ubale also contested the Assembly polls from Bhosari seat twice. In 2009, she was defeated by just 1,272 votes. She has also worked as the Shiv Sena city union representative in Pimpri-Chinchwad for 5 years. She has been working as the party's district women chief since 2017.
After the split in Shiv Sena, she preferred to stay with Uddhav Thackeray. However, she has now decided to switch sides and joined Eknath Shinde camp.
Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne welcomed Ubale to the party. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "Another strong addition to Shiv Sena! Placing trust in the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, former opposition leader of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Pune District women's chief of UBT group Sulabha Ubale and numerous activists publicly joined Shiv Sena. A hearty welcome to the Shiv Sena family!"
