MAHA WATER MINISTER JOINS SHIV SENA

In a major political move, Maharashtra’s soil and water conservation minister Shankarrao Gadakh joined the ruling Shiv Sena on Tuesday.

He was welcomed by Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s residence Matoshree. Shiv Sena secretary Milind Narvekar, who played a major role in convincing Gadakh to join the party, was also present on the occasion.

“Shiv Sena is the party that works for the farmers and poor people. I have decided to join Sena due to the loyalty and faith towards CM Uddhav Thackeray. Our ideology also matches with that of the party,” said Gadakh.

Thackeray, after coming to power, has taken several good decisions for farmers, entrepreneurs, jobless youths and various other sectors. Even during the difficult times of coronavirus crisis, he is leading the state with aplomb, he added.

The entry of Gadakh (50), two-time MLA, is likely to strengthen the Sena into the politically important Ahmednagar district in the state.

He is expected to fill the party’s leadership vacuum in the district created by the death of senior Sena leader and former minister Anil Rathod last week.

With his entry, the Shiv Sena’s strength has increased to 57 in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Gadakh is an independent MLA from Nevasa in Ahmednagar district and the first to support Sena after the 2019 Vidhan Sabha polls. He became a minister in the state cabinet from the Sena’s quota. He was also made the guardian minister of Osmanabad district.

The Gadakh family is known as political heavyweights in Ahmednagar district. Shankarrao’s father Yashwantrao was a three-time MP of Congress representing Ahmednagar constituency.