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Summary:

On January 1, 2026, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party experienced a setback before the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth, a deputy leader closely associated with Aaditya Thackeray, resigned and announced her intention to join the BJP. Devrukhkar-Sheth was a senior leader in the Yuva Sena and a member of the Mumbai University senate. Sources suggest she was considered a potential BMC candidate for Shiv Sena (UBT), but her name never appeared on candidate lists. The BMC elections are scheduled for January 15th, with vote counting the following day.

News Article:

Shiv Sena (UBT) Suffers Pre-Election Blow as Key Leader Defects to BJP

Mumbai, January 1, 2026 – The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction faced a significant setback today as Deputy Leader Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth resigned from the party and announced her imminent switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The defection comes just weeks before the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections slated for January 15th.

Devrukhkar-Sheth, a senior leader within the Yuva Sena (the party’s youth wing) and a close associate of Aaditya Thackeray, confirmed her decision in a statement, indicating she will formally join the BJP in the presence of state president Ravindra Chavan.

“This is a concerning development for the Shiv Sena (UBT) as Ms. Devrukhkar-Sheth was a prominent figure and actively involved in many of the party’s initiatives,” stated a political analyst familiar with the situation. She also holds a seat on the Mumbai University senate, further elevating her profile.

While sources within the Sena (UBT) indicated that Devrukhkar-Sheth was being considered as a potential candidate for the upcoming BMC elections, her name was absent from the party’s official candidate lists. The BJP has yet to comment on the specific role Devrukhkar-Sheth will play within their party. The BMC elections are set to be a hotly contested battle, with the results of vote counting due January 16. This sudden departure could significantly impact the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s chances in the upcoming polls.

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