Missing Shiv Sena Corporator Returns, Reaffirms Loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray

Sarita Mhaske, the lone corporator from the Shiv Sena (UBT) who had remained out of contact for nearly 24 hours, returned on Thursday, putting to rest intense speculation of a possible defection ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation political churn. Her brief disappearance had triggered widespread rumours that she was set to switch allegiance to the rival Shiv Sena, a narrative she has now firmly rejected.

Speaking after her return, Mhaske termed the speculation surrounding her absence a “misunderstanding” and unequivocally reaffirmed her loyalty to party chief Uddhav Thackeray. “I was, am, and will always remain with Uddhav Thackeray,” she said, seeking to dispel doubts that had gripped political circles in Maharashtra since she became unreachable.

Mhaske’s absence had caused unease within the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp, particularly in light of her previously known acquaintance with a legislator from the rival faction. Given the recent history of political defections in the state, her disappearance was quickly interpreted as a sign of potential crossover, intensifying concerns within the party.

The situation prompted a late-night effort to locate Mhaske and her husband, led by senior UBT leader and Member of the Legislative Council Milind Narvekar. Narvekar, a trusted aide of Uddhav Thackeray, played a key role in tracing the couple and ensuring their safe return. His intervention was widely seen as instrumental in preventing further escalation of speculation and restoring calm within the party ranks.

While specific details regarding Mhaske’s whereabouts during the period she was unreachable were not disclosed, party sources said that she and her husband were later accommodated at Narvekar’s residence for safety reasons. The corporator is now expected to meet Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree, the party chief’s residence, before formally completing the registration process to reaffirm her position within the UBT faction at Konkan Bhavan in Belapur.

Sarita Mhaske was elected from Ward 157 in the Chandivali area of eastern Mumbai during the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections held on January 15. She secured a decisive victory over her nearest rival from the Bharatiya Janata Party, winning by a margin of 14,749 votes. Her win was considered significant in a fiercely contested ward.

The broader BMC election results marked a major political shift in Mumbai. The BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance ended the Thackeray family’s nearly three-decade dominance over the civic body. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party, while the Shinde-led Sena secured a substantial number of seats. The Uddhav Thackeray faction, though reduced in strength, retained a sizeable presence, with support from allies including Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

In the aftermath of the results, concerns over possible poaching of corporators led rival factions to move their elected representatives to secure locations. Against this backdrop, Mhaske’s brief disappearance assumed heightened political significance.

With her return and public declaration of loyalty, the UBT camp has sought to draw a line under the episode. However, the incident has once again underscored the fragile and fluid nature of Maharashtra’s political landscape, where even short periods of uncertainty can trigger intense speculation and strategic manoeuvring.