Shiv Sena (UBT) leader joins BJP ahead of Municipal Corporation elections

Former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) corporator and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Tejasvi Ghosalkar from North Mumbai constituency, on Monday (December 15, 2025) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming BMC elections. 

Her switch is seen as another blow to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, as Ghosalkar family holds significant importance in North Mumbai area. 

Calling it a tough decision, Tejasvi said, “I want to do a lot of development work in my constituency and expect that under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis I would be able to do that. It is hard and painful to leave the party, who gave me identity.” 

On Monday, she resigned from the party, amid the speculation of joining the BJP and describe her decision “painful”. 

Ms. Tejasvi, the spouse of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar, who was shot dead two years ago, has written a letter referring to Shiv Sena (UBT) party workers and acknowledging their support. 

In her letter, she opened about her political and personal life and difficulties in managing both, saying I am having to face enormous challenges and the decision was taken after introspection.

The speculation of Ms. Tejasvi joining BJP has been there since BJP leader Pravin Darekar appointed her as a director on the board of the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank, filling the vacancy after her spouse died, who was also a former corporator and board member.

Ms. Tejasvi’s father-in-law and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Vinod Goshalkar said, “If Abhishek would have been here this would have not happen. I can stop my son but with daughter in law the case is different. We never mix family and politics. She left but I am still with Thackerays.” 

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat took a potshot on Uddhav Thackeray, saying that his party doesn’t care for their party functionaries. “From last one and half year, she was not in mindset to stay with Uddhav Thackeray’s party. She also contacted Eknath Shinde and now BJP. Her husband was murdered; they showed up once showing sympathy, afterwards no one reached out to her.  No one wants to stay with them,” he added.