Three days after resigning from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Pawar, a prominent leader in Pimpri-Chinchwad, officially joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) in a ceremony held in Mumbai, with party chief Uddhav Thackeray present.
Pawar, formerly the BJP spokesperson and opposition leader in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), hails from the Nanded district of Marathwada. He announced his intention to contest the assembly election from the Loha assembly seat.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pawar announced his move to the Shiv Sena (UBT) along with more than 200 sarpanchs, deputy sarpanchs, and various office bearers from the Loha assembly constituency.
Pawar had publicly announced his resignation from the BJP on October 22, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Maharashtra government's perceived indecisiveness on the Maratha reservation issue.
At a press conference, he said, "I am resigning from the party's primary membership starting today. I will join the agitation led by Manoj Jarange to secure reservations for the Maratha community."
Pawar emphasised the significance of supporting the Maratha community's quest for justice. He noted that many Maratha youths have sacrificed their lives during the protests, and he believed it was his duty to contribute to their cause, given his association with the Maratha community from Marathwada.
Pawar reflected on his over 30-year association with the BJP, highlighting his commitment during a time when the party had a limited presence in the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. He acknowledged his departure from the party with a heavy heart, emphasising his resolve to contribute to the cause of justice for his community.
He said, "I have been involved since that time when no one was ready to carry the BJP's flag. I dedicated myself to the party 24x7. Nonetheless, I am leaving the party with a heavy heart to seek justice for my community. At the very least, I will make my contribution to my community's cause."
