Capping days of speculations, Congress leader from Pune, Ravindra Dhangekar, resigned from the party on Monday. Dhangekar will join the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction soon, a party where he started his political career.
Dhangekar's resignation comes amid reports that Shiv Sena is looking to induct former Shiv Sainiks, and those with Uddhav Thackeray faction, back into their fold, via the 'Operation Tiger' scheme.
Dhangekar, who was reportedly unhappy about things within the Congress, said on Monday that he met Shiv Sena leaders Eknath Shinde and Uday Samanth several times, after which he decided to return to Shiv Sena. He added that he also held discussions with his supporters and common people from his constituency.
गेली 30 वर्ष सर्वसामान्य पुणेकरांसाठी लढणारा माणूस म्हणून माझी ओळख आहे. त्यामुळे पुणेकरांसाठी लढत असताना मला बळ देणाऱ्या पक्षाचा विचार मी यापुढील काळात करणार आहे, या संदर्भात सविस्तर आपण आज संध्याकाळी बोलू.....#Ravindradhangekarforpune#लढा_पुणेकरांसाठी pic.twitter.com/qjxaesYwbx
— Ravindra Dhangekar Official (@DhangekarINC) March 10, 2025
"I realised that unless you are in the govt, it is difficult to execute the work, and therefore, I have taken this decision," he added. He stressed that his focus will be on the future of Punekars. "I will talk to my well-wishers about this in detail on Monday evening."
Joining Shiv Sena is a homecoming for Dhangekar began his electoral politics from the party. He won as a Shiv Sena candidate in the Pune Municipal Corporation election in 2002 before leaving the party with Raj Thackeray to form the MNS. After a decade with the MNS, Dhangekar joined the Congress before finally leaving it for Shiv Sena.
Dhangekar did not shy from announcing that he met with Eknath Shinde and Uday Samant, who are allegedly helming Operation Tiger. However, Samant did not confirm the speculations, instead stating that the meeting was for a different purpose. He added that it was through media reports that he realised about Dhangekar quitting Congress. However, he asserted that many leaders from Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions of Shiv Sena and NCP are in talks with Shinde to join the party.
Samant's role in Operation Tiger also came to light after he was seen attending the birthday of Dhangekar's son.
Dhangekar also lavished praise on Shinde on Monday while announcing his decision. "Eknath Shinde helped me even when I was a Congress MLA. I realised that I can work with these people as they are people who common men identify with. I took my decision today, I want to work with Shinde Saheb. We will meet at 7 pm and decide after that," said Ravindra Dhangekar.
Meanwhile, political analysts believe Shiv Sena wants to strengthen its base in Pune, especially since the civic body elections are slated to be held this year. Dhangekar's entry would be a shot in the arm for the party since they have also roped in Sharad Sonawan, an MLA from Junnar. Sonawan had stunned both NCP factions to win the seat as an Independent.
