BJP suffers major setback in Hingoli as candidate withdraws and joins Shiv Sena (Shinde group)
BJP
A BJP candidate in Hingoli withdrew his nomination and joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde group), creating turbulence ahead of local body elections and signalling internal unrest within the BJP’s local unit.
Hingoli, Maharashtra | Nov 20, 2025 :– The BJP in Hingoli has been hit by an unexpected setback after one of its key local candidates withdrew his nomination and shifted to the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The defection comes at a crucial point in the municipal election process and has disrupted the BJP’s plans in several wards where the candidate was expected to play a significant role.
According to local sources, the candidate had been actively involved in BJP’s groundwork for the Nagar Parishad polls. His sudden exit surprised party workers, many of whom had already begun door-to-door campaigning in his ward. While the candidate has not publicly elaborated on his reasons, sources close to him claim he was disappointed with internal functioning and felt sidelined in the distribution of responsibilities. Soon after withdrawing his nomination, he formally joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde group), which welcomed him as a strong addition to their district-level team.
The move is being viewed as a political gain for the Shinde faction, which has been working to strengthen its presence across Marathwada. With local body elections approaching, the group has been focusing heavily on inducting influential leaders and micro-level workers from various parties. The entry of a former BJP candidate is expected to give them a boost in the Hingoli municipal battleground.
For the BJP, the timing could not have been worse. The party is already dealing with resistance from a segment of its cadre over candidate selection and internal disagreements. The withdrawal has now forced the BJP to reconsider its strategy and reassign candidates to fill the sudden vacuum. Local BJP leaders have held emergency meetings to reassure their supporters that the situation is under control and that replacements will be announced swiftly.
Political observers in Hingoli say defections like this often signal deeper dissatisfaction brewing within party structures. Local elections tend to magnify these issues, as the fight for nominations becomes intense and personal equations hold greater value than ideological alignment. In this case, the defection is also expected to influence voters who closely follow their ward-level leaders.
The shift has created fresh dynamics in the wards affected. Residents say the contest has now become more unpredictable, with the new entrant likely to split votes or attract sympathy depending on public perception. Some voters view the switch as opportunistic, while others believe it reflects genuine frustration with the BJP’s local unit.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) continues to highlight the defection as evidence of growing confidence among workers across districts. Their local leadership has begun showcasing the new entrant in campaigns, projecting him as someone who aligns with the group’s development-focused agenda.
The broader political scene in Hingoli has now become more competitive. With multiple parties and independent candidates preparing to contest, the margins in several wards may narrow significantly. The BJP leadership at the district level is working to prevent further exits, stressing unity and discipline among workers.
As the election draws closer, both parties are accelerating their campaigns. The BJP aims to minimise damage and present a united front, while the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) hopes to leverage this moment to gain momentum. The final impact of the defection will only become clear when the votes are counted, but for now, it has undoubtedly reshaped the conversation around Hingoli’s local elections.
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