Sun Jan 04 15:09:50 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:

Headline: Former Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul Defects to BJP, Dealing Blow to Shiv Sena (UBT)

Mumbai, India – In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, former Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after resigning from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Raul officially joined the BJP on Sunday in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Raul’s departure is considered a blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT), as she is a prominent figure with a strong base in the city. Her move to the BJP is likely to bolster the party’s chances in the highly contested BMC elections. The reasons behind her resignation from the Shiv Sena (UBT) were not immediately clear, but political analysts speculate that it may be related to internal party dynamics or a difference in political ideology. The BJP is expected to leverage Raul’s experience and influence to further strengthen their position in Mumbai’s political landscape. This defection underscores the intense political maneuvering underway as parties gear up for the crucial civic polls.

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