Major setback for Shinde camp in Thane as Ramchandra Pingulkar joins Shiv Sena (UBT)
Ramchandra Pingulkar
Ramchandra Pingulkar, a key local leader from the Shinde faction in Thane, has joined Shiv Sena (UBT), giving Uddhav Thackeray’s camp a boost ahead of civic polls.
Thane, December 2, 2025 – The political landscape in Thane shifted sharply after Ramchandra Pingulkar, an important local leader from the Eknath Shinde faction, crossed over to Shiv Sena (UBT). Pingulkar’s switch, along with several supporters, has delivered a significant blow to the Shinde camp in a district long regarded as its core stronghold.
Pingulkar held a notable organisational role in the Shinde faction and was considered influential in ward-level mobilisation. His decision to join Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) was made public at a gathering attended by senior UBT leaders, who welcomed him and described the move as a major boost to their Thane unit. The development comes at a time when all parties are working to strengthen their grassroots networks ahead of ongoing municipal and local-body elections.
The timing is politically sensitive. Thane plays a crucial role in the Sena-versus-Sena contest unfolding across Maharashtra. Any shift in loyalties here carries a wider message, given the district’s political weight and its proximity to Mumbai. With this move, UBT leaders believe they have gained momentum and credibility in an area where they are determined to expand their presence.
For the Shinde camp, the defection is a clear setback. The leadership now faces the task of preventing further cracks in the local organisation and reassuring party workers who may feel uncertain after the switch. Party insiders say Pingulkar’s exit was unexpected and may force the Shinde faction to recalibrate its strategy in several wards.
Pingulkar’s move also highlights the continued churn within Shiv Sena’s two factions, even more than a year after the split. Both camps have been aggressively recruiting local leaders to consolidate their bases before civic elections. Ground-level leaders play an outsized role in mobilising voters for municipal polls, and their decisions often influence local outcomes more than high-profile campaigns.
The coming weeks will show whether Pingulkar’s shift results in measurable electoral gains for UBT or triggers more defections in the district. For now, the move has energised Thackeray’s supporters and given them talking points at a time when every symbolic victory counts.
With elections underway across multiple municipal councils and nagar panchayats, this development adds another layer to the already competitive Sena-versus-Sena battle. Both factions are now expected to intensify their outreach efforts in Thane, hoping to turn organisational strength into electoral success.
